Young people's support for various forms of e-cigarette regulation in Australia and the UK

The aim of this study was to examine young people's support for e-cigarette policies in two countries with very different e-cigarette regulatory environments - Australia and the UK.

An online survey was administered to 1,185 15-24 year olds (590 from Australia, 595 from the UK). Survey items assessed demographics, use of vaping and tobacco products, exposure to others' vaping behaviours, exposure to e-cigarette advertising, perceptions of harms associated with e-cigarettes, and support for 14 e-cigarette policies. Frequencies for support were calculated for each policy by country and overall, and a mixed effects negative binomial regression was performed to identify factors associated with support.

Majority support was expressed for 10 of the 14 policies in the Australian sample and six in the UK sample. Significantly higher levels support were found among Australian respondents compared to UK respondents for all policies except one where the difference failed to reach statistical significance. Support was strongest for policies relating to preventing access by minors, including warnings on packages, and prohibiting misleading advertising. Support was weakest for policies restricting access to e-cigarettes and flavours. Factors associated with higher levels of support were harm perceptions, never having used e-cigarettes, and older age.

The results suggest general support for a broad range of e-cigarette control policies among young people in Australia and the UK, despite very different e-cigarette regulatory environments in these countries. Enhancing awareness of the potential harms associated with e-cigarette use appears to be key to optimising support for the assessed policies among members of this age group.