Methods for Vaping Cessation Among Young Adults in Southern California

Many young adults who vape develop nicotine dependence and have challenges with quitting nicotine use, but methods they use to successfully quit vaping have not been well described.

Self-report data were collected from June 2022 to January 2023 from young adults enrolled in a cohort study in Southern California (n = 2251). We examined prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of ever regularly vaping nicotine, currently vaping nicotine, any attempt to quit vaping, any success in quitting vaping, and, if successful, methods used to successfully quit.

In the overall sample, 13.2% of young adults reported ever regularly vaping nicotine and 9.2% reported currently vaping nicotine. Of those who reported ever regularly vaping, 74.2% had ever attempted to quit (of which 63.3% were ever successful). Of those who successfully quit vaping, less than 2% used an FDA-approved cessation aid; participants generally reported alternative methods, including: increasing healthy habits (51.4%), quitting cold turkey (29.3%), and new or increased cannabis use (10.7%). Almost half of the individuals (47.9%) who reported having ever successfully quit were currently vaping at the time of data collection. Few demographic differences in cessation behaviors were observed.

A high percentage of young adults have tried to quit vaping; however, those who have tried to quit (and been successful) are typically using non-approved cessation methods, and almost half of those who had successfully quit had relapsed and were currently vaping. Development of additional cessation methods-to both encourage and maintain cessation-for this population is needed.

A substantial proportion of young adults express interest in quitting vaping, but many experience difficulty doing so. There are many approved methods for smoking cessation on the market, but none that are specifically approved for vaping, and methods young adults are currently using to successfully quit vaping have not been consistently described. This study provides new insight into the methods young adults in Southern California have reported using for vaping cessation attempts and successful cessation. Findings may provide a foundation for vaping cessation recommendations for young adults.