Electronic cigarettes gaining in popularity among teens

"Electronic cigarettes are of great concern. They are highly addictive nicotine delivery devices, and the vapor can and does cause harm to lungs," said principal investigator Jonathan D. Klein, MD, MPH, FAAP, director of the AAP Julius B. Richmond Center of Excellence and associate executive director of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Data for the national study were collected from 142 pediatric practices participating in a randomized, controlled trial to improve the quality of services to help teens stop smoking. Youths ages 14 and older who went to one of the practices for a checkup or a non-urgent sick visit in 2012-2014 were recruited to fill out a survey about their tobacco use. The questionnaire asked whether they had ever used cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookahs, chewing tobacco or small cigars/cigarillos. Data from 10,405 teens were analyzed to identify trends in use.

Results showed traditional cigarettes were the most common tobacco product used by adolescents (22 percent of teens), followed by hookah (13 percent) and electronic cigarettes (10 percent).

E-cigarette use rose from 8 percent of teens in 2012 to 11 percent in 2014. Use of electronic cigarettes was especially high among those who also smoked traditional cigarettes (56 percent in 2014).

Hookah use was 9 percent to 10 percent for nonsmokers in each year, and fell among smokers from 62 percent in 2012 to 47 percent in 2014.

Rates of chewing tobacco and small cigar/cigarillo use did not change significantly over time.

"Adolescent use of alternative tobacco products is problematic among current smokers, as it may prolong or worsen nicotine addiction," Dr. Klein said. "It is also problematic among nonsmokers, as it may serve as a gateway to further tobacco use and nicotine addiction."

Gender and age group differences were found in the use of all four alternative tobacco products:

• E-cigarettes were used more by older youths than younger teens, and more by males than females.
• Hookah use was more prevalent among older youths. In 2014, nonsmoking females reported higher use than males.
• Chewing tobacco use was higher in older teens and males.
• Little cigars/cigarillos were used more by older adolescents and males.

"Our study shows that e-cigarette use is increasing rapidly, and this should be a wake-up call for regulating these devices along with all other tobacco products," Dr. Klein said. "In addition, tobacco screening, which should be performed at every clinical visit, needs to evolve to include questions about e-cigarettes and other alternative products."

Study author Julie Gorzkowski, MSW, will present "Trends in Youth Use of E-Cigarettes and Alternative Tobacco Products" from 9-9:15 a.m. PT Sunday, April 26. To view the study abstract, go to http://www.abstracts2view.com/pas/view.php?nu=PAS15L1_2165.6