Reasons for E-cigarette Use and Their Associations With Frequency, Dependence, and Quit Intentions: Findings From a Youth and Young Adult Sample

Authors

Elizabeth K. Do, Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, Washington, District of Columbia; Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia. Electronic address: edo@truthinitiative.org.
Kristiann Koris, Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, Washington, District of Columbia.
Tyler Minter, Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, Washington, District of Columbia.
Suad Esayed, Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, Washington, District of Columbia.
Elizabeth C. Hair, Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, Washington, District of Columbia; School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, New York.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-3-2025

Journal

American journal of preventive medicine

DOI

10.1016/j.amepre.2025.03.009

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to examine associations between reasons for e-cigarette use and e-cigarette use frequency, dependence, and quit intentions. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Truth Longitudinal Cohort, a national probability-based online survey of U.S. youth and young adults (aged 15-24 years, collected from October 2022 to December 2023). The analytic sample (N=815) included participants who reported current e-cigarette use and their most important reason for e-cigarette use (selected from a list of responses, regrouped into categories), use frequency (number of days used in the past 30 days), dependence (E-cigarette Dependence Scale), and quit intentions (any versus none). Linear and logistic regression models were applied to aggregated cross-sectional data, adjusted for age, gender identity, race and ethnicity, perceived financial situation, past 30-day use of other combustible tobacco products, and e-cigarette device type. RESULTS: The most endorsed reason for using e-cigarettes was coping with mental health challenges (39.6%), followed by sensation seeking (20.4%), lower perceived harms (14.7%), social status/acceptability (10.9%), ease of use/access (10.1%), and peer/family influence (4.3%). All reasons for e-cigarette use were associated with e-cigarette use frequency and dependence. Using e-cigarettes as a means of coping with mental health challenges and social status/acceptability were also associated with greater odds of expressing any quit intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Reasons for e-cigarette use were differentially associated with e-cigarette use behavior outcomes. Findings suggest a need to address mental health challenges and reduce access and appeal of e-cigarettes among young people to facilitate reductions in e-cigarette use.

APA Citation

Do, Elizabeth K.; Koris, Kristiann; Minter, Tyler; Esayed, Suad; and Hair, Elizabeth C., "Reasons for E-cigarette Use and Their Associations With Frequency, Dependence, and Quit Intentions: Findings From a Youth and Young Adult Sample" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 7101.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/7101

Department

Epidemiology