COVID-19 Pandemic Resulted in Changes in E-Cigarette Access among Youth & Young Adults

Understanding patterns of e-cigarette use and access during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is important because e-cigarettes may put users at risk for more severe respiratory effects and other health problems. A recently published study examined whether underage youth and young adults who ever used e-cigarettes self-reported changes in access and use of e-cigarettes since the COVID-19 pandemic began. A national, cross-sectional online survey study was conducted from May 6 to May 14, 2020. This sample of 4351 participants aged 13 to 24 years across the US included 2167 e-cigarette ever-users.

Findings included:

  • Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, 56% e-cigarette users changed their use: 32% individuals quit, 35% reduced the amount of nicotine, 18% increased nicotine use, 8% increased cannabis use, and 7% switched to other products.
  • Participants reported that not being able to go to vape shops and product unavailability were the reasons accessing e-cigarettes was difficult after the pandemic began. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, individuals reported purchasing from alternative retail stores, primarily purchasing online instead of retail.
  • Underage youth reported e-cigarette deliveries from vape shops and/or dealers or friends who received such deliveries, and 28% reported accessing e-cigarettes without age verification.
  • E-Cigarette users were 52% less likely to quit or reduce their use if they previously used e-cigarettes between 11 and 99 times, 68% less likely to quit if they previously used e-cigarettes more than 100 times, and 51% were less likely to quit if they were nicotine dependent.

The researchers concluded that during the COVID-19 pandemic, youth e-cigarette users reported changes in e-cigarette use, point-of-purchase, and ability to purchase e-cigarettes without age verification.

Source: Gaiha et al. (2020). Underage Youth and Young Adult e-Cigarette Use and Access Before and During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. JAMA Network Open, Dec 1;3(12):e2027572.