Electronic Nicotine Product Cessation and Cigarette Smoking: Analysis of Waves 3 and 4 From the PATH Study

Identifying predictors of electronic nicotine product (ENP) cessation can inform ENP cessation interventions. High rates of cooccurring ENP and cigarette (dual) use and transitions between these products underscore the importance of considering cigarette smoking status when assessing and addressing ENP cessation.

We analyzed waves 3 (W3) and 4 (W4) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study to identify (1) W3 socio-demographics, tobacco and ENP use characteristics, and psychosocial correlates of W3 cigarette smoking status (non-smoker, former, and current) among W3 adult ENP users, and (2) W3 predictors of W4 combined ENP and cigarette smoking abstinence relative to use of one or both products.

At W3, 65.6% of ENP users concurrently smoked cigarettes. Adjusted multinomial regression results indicated that different W3 socio-demographics, tobacco and ENP use characteristics, and psychosocial correlates were significantly associated with distinct W3 cigarette use profiles. At W4, 9.9% of individuals were abstinent from both products. These individuals were less likely to: (1) be current smokers (vs. non-smokers) or be advised to quit using tobacco, compared with cigarette only or dual users, and (2) use ENPs daily or live in a household allowing ENP use, compared with ENP only or dual users (p < .05).

ENP cessation approaches need to be tailored to the distinct cigarette use profiles of ENP users. Dual users and daily ENP users may require more intensive interventions to achieve the cessation of both products. Supportive physical environments, such as home vape-free policies, may facilitate ENP cessation.

This analysis contributes to advancing the nascent literature on predictors of electronic nicotine product (ENP) cessation, which can guide the development of ENP cessation interventions by indicating which populations, psychosocial and environmental constructs, and cooccurring behaviors interventions should target. This research also highlights the importance of considering cigarette smoking status when designing ENP cessation interventions and defining intervention outcomes.