Electronic Cigarette Use Among Youth: Understanding Unique Risks in a Vulnerable Population
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TOBACCO (K BOLD AND G KONG, SECTION EDITORS)
Electronic Cigarette Use Among Youth: Understanding Unique Risks in a Vulnerable Population Elisa M. Trucco 1,2
&
Nilofar Fallah-Sohy 1
&
Sarah A. Hartmann 1
&
Julie V. Cristello 1
# Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract Purpose of Review This review discusses prevalence rates of electronic (e-)cigarette use among youth and factors that likely contribute to their growing popularity among this population. Trends shaping the e-cigarette landscape, the appeal of e-cigarettes among youth, perceptions contributing to the initiation of e-cigarettes, available assessments capturing the usage of and attitudes towards e-cigarettes, and e-cigarette policies and regulations are reviewed. Recent Findings E-cigarette use among this vulnerable group may relate to factors associated with the promotion of social status, individuality, and enjoyment, along with low perceptions of risk and harm. Measures assessing factors unique to e-cigarette use among youth (e.g., individuality) still need to be developed and validated. Effects of existing regulations to limit youth access to e-cigarettes may be limited, and shortcomings of current policy measures are discussed with recommendations. Summary The rise of e-cigarette use among youth culminated through a perfect storm of clever marketing targeting youth appeal, innovations in more effective nicotine delivery systems, capitalizing on increased susceptibility of the adolescent brain, and regulatory gaps. Understanding risk and protective factors specific to this vulnerable group, which can be gleaned in part by psychometrically valid assessments, could inform regulatory strategies and prevention programming efforts. Yet, few validated measures exist that assess attitudes, behaviors, and patterns of e-cigarette use that are specific to youth. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon policymakers to create comprehensive regulations that prioritize harm reduction and can evolve in lockstep with the constantly changing e-cigarette product landscape. Keywords E-cigarettes . Electronic nicotine delivery systems . Youth . Trends . Appeal . Regulation
Introduction
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Tobacco * Elisa M. Trucco [email protected] Nilofar Fallah-Sohy [email protected] Sarah A. Hartmann [email protected] Julie V. Cristello [email protected] 1
Psychology Department, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, AHC-1, Miami, FL 33199, USA
2
Psychiatry Department, University of Michigan, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that generate an aerosol by heating a liquid consisting of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), flavoring agents, and nicotine, without combustion. Accordingly, the production of carcinogens and other toxins is lower in e-cigarettes compared to combustible cigarettes [1]. It is for this reason that e-cigarettes have been widely debated. Some believe that e-cigarettes repr
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