Flavored Tobacco Use Among U.S. Adults by Age Group: 2013-2014

This study sought to assess patterns of flavored tobacco product (FTP) use and their associations with (1) susceptibility to smoke cigarettes among young adults aged 18-29 who have never smoked; (2) quit attempts in the past 12 months among current cigarette users by age group (18-29, 30-49, and 50+).

We used the 2013-2014 National Adult Tobacco Survey (n = 75,233) to estimate the prevalence of single-, dual-, and poly-use of FTP (menthol cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, regular pipes/hookahs, and smokeless). Logistic regression models were performed to examine the associations between FTP use and smoking behaviors.

Among current tobacco users, young adults aged 18-29 (72.7%) had a higher prevalence of FTP use than other age groups (30-49: 51.7% and 50+: 37.9%). For FTP use within each age group, dual- and poly-FTP use was most popular among young adults aged 18-29 and menthol cigarette use was most popular among older adults aged 50+. Compared with not using any tobacco products, FTP use was associated with higher odds of susceptibility to cigarette smoking among young adult never smokers (single FTP use: aOR =5.5, CI: 4.2-7.3; dual/poly FTP use: aOR =10.7, CI: 6.2-18.4). FTP use was not associated with quit attempts among current cigarettes users aged under 50, while dual/poly-FTP use was associated with higher odds of quit attempts among current cigarette users aged 50 + (aOR =1.7, CI: 1.2-2.4).

This study shows the heterogeneity of FTP use among adults by age group and demonstrates its associations with susceptibility to cigarette smoking among young adult never smokers.