Prevalence trends and factors associated with vaping in Ontario (2015 to 2018) and Quebec (2017 to 2019), Canada

Robust surveillance of vaping product use (with or without nicotine) in Canada has been limited by the use of multiple tools with varying designs and content. The objective of the current study was to examine trends over time in vaping prevalence and to examine associated factors using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

Trends in the prevalence of past-30-day vaping over time were examined using data available from optional modules of the CCHS for Ontario from 2015 to 2018 and for Quebec from 2017 to 2019. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine correlates of vaping in Quebec (2019) and Ontario (2018).

Vaping increased in Quebec from 3.4% (233,000) in 2017 to 4.2% (296,000) in 2018 and 4.7% (333,000) in 2019. In Ontario, vaping remained stable in the years 2015 (3.1% or 357,000), 2016 (2.7% or 311,000) and 2017 (2.7% or 309,000), then increased in 2018 (3.4% or 404,000). Increases in vaping in both provinces were driven by youth. Vaping was significantly associated with young age and cigarette smoking in both provinces, as well as with cannabis use in the past 12 months among Quebec respondents.

In both provinces, increases in youth vaping were observed in recent years, and this is consistent with national trends. Study findings further our understanding of vaping behaviour and highlight the utility of the CCHS as an additional tool for surveillance of vaping product use among Canadians.