Pharmacotherapy and Behavioral Cessation Methods Used by Adolescents Who Vape Nicotine

PurposeTo examine the use of pharmacotherapy and behavioral cessation methods among U.S. adolescents who vape nicotine.DesignCross-sectional Analysis of Wave 7 data From the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.SettingUnited States.SampleAdolescents aged 12-17 years (N = 1181) who reported past-year nicotine vaping.MeasuresSelf-reported use of cessation methods (apps, nicotine replacement therapy [NRT], cessation medications) and past-year quit attempts.AnalysisDescriptive statistics and weighted logistic regression models using STATA 18.0, with significance set at alpha <0.05.ResultsOverall, 10.6% of adolescents reported using any cessation therapy, with NRTs being the most commonly used cessation method (4.4%), while medications (i.e., Varenicline or Bupropion) were the least commonly used method (3.3%). Adolescents with higher nicotine dependence (wanting to vape within 30 minutes of waking) (aOR: 2.83; 95% CI: 1.49, 5.36) and those planning to quit within 12 months (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.10, 3.20) had higher odds of using any cessation therapy. Among racial ethnic groups, Hispanic adolescents (vs. non-Hispanic White; aOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.86) had lower odds of reporting any cessation therapy.ConclusionAmong U.S. youth who vape e-cigarettes, about 1 in 10 self-reported using any cessation aid. This low utilization rate suggests a need for tailored and equitable cessation interventions.