Associations between e-cigarette pack size and vaping frequency among U.S. adults

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Tobacco Control

Background:

• Limited research exists on the relationship between e-cigarette packaging and usage patterns.
• Understanding how purchasing quantity influences e-cigarette use is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between purchasing e-cigarettes by the box/pack versus as singles and daily versus some-day e-cigarette use.
• To explore demographic and device-specific differences in this association.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the 2018-2019 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (N=2,413 current adult e-cigarette users).
• Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to assess the relationship between purchasing method and use frequency.
• Models were adjusted for covariates including demographics, flavored e-cigarette use, and other tobacco product use, and stratified by sex and device type.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of adult e-cigarette users purchased products as singles (63.1%) compared to by the box/pack (36.9%).
• Individuals purchasing e-cigarettes by the box/pack demonstrated significantly higher odds of daily use (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.68) compared to some-day use.
• This association was consistent across males, females, and all examined e-cigarette device types.

Conclusions:

• Purchasing e-cigarettes in larger quantities (box/pack) is linked to more frequent, daily usage patterns.
• The findings suggest that packaging strategy may influence e-cigarette consumption behavior.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the complex relationship between e-cigarette packaging and use intensity.