Disparities in Electronic Cigarette Use: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The U.S. Surgeon General declared electronic cigarette use an epidemic in 2018, with high prevalence among young adults (18-24 years old).
• Limited understanding exists regarding how different demographic groups engage with e-cigarette use.
• Investigating these disparities is crucial for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current literature on disparities in electronic cigarette use among young adults.
• To identify patterns of e-cigarette use related to race/ethnicity, sexuality/gender, and socioeconomic status.
• To highlight areas of consensus and conflict in existing research.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining electronic cigarette use disparities.
• A total of 77 relevant articles were included in the review.

Main Results:

• The literature indicates significant disparities in e-cigarette use based on race/ethnicity.
• Differences in use patterns were also observed concerning sexuality and gender identity.
• Research findings on disparities related to socioeconomic status were inconsistent and conflicting.

Conclusions:

• Electronic cigarette use is not uniform across all demographic groups, with clear disparities observed.
• Race/ethnicity and sexuality/gender are key factors associated with differential e-cigarette use.
• Further research is needed to resolve conflicting findings regarding socioeconomic status and vaping behaviors.