Tobacco-free nicotine (TFN) e-cigarettes are growing in popularity in the United States with around one third of those who use e-cigarettes reporting use of TFN e-cigarettes. These products contain synthetic nicotine rather than nicotine derived from the tobacco plant. It is unknown whether the health and addiction effects of TFN products differ from tobacco-derived nicotine (TDN) products. TFN e-cigarettes often come in many different flavors which boosts product appeal, willingness to try, and initiation among use. This study examines whether young adults’ perceptions of TFN and TDN products are associated with curiosity to try and use TFN e-cigarettes.
The study’s sample consisted of 1,176 young adults aged 18-25 from the United States. Participants completed an online survey that assessed TFN awareness, curiosity, lifetime use, and perceptions about flavor, taste, ease of access, cost, and harms of these products. Participants were also asked to report total number of vaping and non-vaping tobacco products every used. Data was analyzed using multinomial logistic regression models.
Results of the data analysis showed that 49.2% of participants had heard of TFN e-cigarettes, 27% reporting using TFN, and 29.6% were curious to try TFN products. The most common perception reported was that TFN had more flavors and better tasting flavors than TDN. The least common perception was that TFN was less harmful or addictive than TDN. Those who were curious about TFN product use were more likely to report favorable perceptions of TFN related to flavor, taste, east of access, cost, and health harms. In addition, those who were curious to try TFN products were more likely to perceive TFN as less harmful to the heart and less addictive than TDN products. Past use of vaping and non-vaping tobacco products was associated with increased odds of both TFN curiosity and use.
Takeaway: Among young adults, perceptions of tobacco-free nicotine (TNF) derived e-cigarettes in comparison to tobacco-derived nicotine products may influence curiosity to try and use TFN e-cigarettes.