Ever Use of Emerging Tobacco Products by Cigarette Smoking Status and Other Characteristics

Several tobacco products have recently entered the US market but the lifetime prevalence for these products among US adults is not known. Mixed-mode cross-sectional surveys representing national probability samples of adults were administered to an RDD frame and an internet panel frame (Knowledge Networks). Lifetime prevalence for snus, a hookah, dissolvable tobacco products, or an electronic cigarette was assessed; and examined across smoking status and other characteristics. Cooperation rates ranged from 71% (N=1,504) in the RDD frame to 67% (N=1,736) in the KN frame. Among respondents,13.6% have tried at least one emerging tobacco product (5.1% snus; 8.8% hookah; 0.6% DTPs; and 1.8% electronic cigarette). Current smokers (27.6%) were the most likely to have tried these products, compared to former smokers (17.2%) and never smokers (7.7%) p<.001. Overall, 18.2% of young adults 18-24 and 12.8% of those >24 have tried one of these products (p<.01). In the multivariate analysis, current 5.70 [4.29, 7.59] and former 2.71 [2.06, 3.57] smoking status remained significant; as did young adults 2.19 [1.61, 2.98]; males 3.52 [2.78, 4.46]; northeast 1.69 [1.18, 2.44], midwest 1.65 [1.20, 2.28], and west 1.81 [1.37, 2.40]; and some college 2.68 [1.70, 4.22] and college degree 2.05 [1.27, 3.31]. These findings demonstrate use of tobacco products by never, former, and current smokers; raising concerns about never smokers developing nicotine addiction, former smokers relapsing, and current smokers using these products rather than quitting. These findings also illustrate young age and male gender as an important factor in the use of these products.