Patterns of Use of Vaping Products among Smokers: Findings from the 2016–2018 International Tobacco Control (ITC) New Zealand Surveys

Richard Edwards, James Stanley, Andrew M. Waa, Maddie White, Susan C. Kaai, Janine Ouimet, Anne C.K. Quah and Geoffrey T. Fong
Additional contact information
Richard Edwards: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6023, New Zealand
James Stanley: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6023, New Zealand
Andrew M. Waa: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6023, New Zealand
Maddie White: Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6023, New Zealand
Susan C. Kaai: Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Janine Ouimet: Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Anne C.K. Quah: Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Geoffrey T. Fong: Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W., Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-15

Abstract: Alternative nicotine products like e-cigarettes could help achieve an end to the epidemic of ill health and death caused by smoking. However, in-depth information about their use is often limited. Our study investigated patterns of use of e-cigarettes and attitudes and beliefs among smokers and ex-smokers in New Zealand (NZ), a country with an ‘endgame’ goal for smoked tobacco. Data came from smokers and ex-smokers in Waves 1 and 2 of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) NZ Survey (Wave 1 August 2016–April 2017, 1155 participants; Wave 2, June–December 2018, 1020 participants). Trial, current and daily use of e-cigarettes was common: daily use was 7.9% among smokers and 22.6% among ex-smokers in Wave 2, and increased between surveys. Use was commonest among 18–24 years and ex-smokers, but was similar among M?ori and non-M?ori participants, and by socio-economic status. Most participants used e-cigarettes to help them quit or reduce their smoking. The most common motivating factor for use was cost and the most common barrier to use cited was that e-cigarettes were less satisfying than smoking. The findings could inform developing interventions in order to maximise the contribution of e-cigarettes to achieving an equitable smoke-free Aotearoa, and to minimise any potential adverse impacts.

Keywords: E-cigarettes; vaping; prevalence; knowledge; risk perceptions; policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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