Characteristics of us adults attempting tobacco use cessation using e-cigarettes

Background: Use of e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation efforts is a growing trend in the United States. However, little is known about the factors that determine the use of e-cigarettes for this specific purpose.

Methods: This study examined current and former cigarette smokers that reported ever using e-cigarettes. Data were obtained from a 2018 Texas population health assessment survey (n = 569) and weighted to be representative to Texas. A multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the socio-demographic and behavioral correlates of using e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation.

Results: Overall, 41.3% of e-cigarette users reported using them for tobacco cessation. Among ever e-cigarette users, Non-Hispanic blacks (aOR: 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07-0.64), males (aOR: 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20-0.80), and individuals not confident in obtaining health information (aOR: 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15-0.96) were less likely to use e-cigarettes for tobacco use cessation. Conversely, among ever e-cigarette users, odds of using e-cigarettes for tobacco cessation were higher among those who were 35-44 years old (aOR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.26-10.71), those who received advice to quit smoking from a healthcare professional (aOR: 2.77, 95% CI, 1.36-5.64), and those with more than 5 years since their last routine checkup (aOR: 3.91; 95% CI, 1.23-12.45).

Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that both health behaviors and sociodemographic factors predict use of e-cigarettes for the purpose of tobacco cessation. Furthermore, the relationship between use of e-cigarettes as a cessation device and being advised to quit tobacco use by a healthcare professional calls for additional investigation.