393 Disposable Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Underage Nicotine Addiction–A Survey of College Students

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To identify factors enabling growing underage consumption of disposable Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) by understanding young adults’perceptions and patterns of use of disposable ENDS through surveying college students. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Disposable ENDS are all-in-one devices with pre-filled nicotine liquid and a built-in battery. Recent data shows increased sales as users, including youth, are switching from pod-based to disposable ENDS. Gaps were identified via a literature review of current survey data revealing unknown information about disposable ENDS. Based on these data gaps, an anonymous survey was developed to gain insight into youth disposable ENDS use. The survey was distributed to college students via social media, university email chains, and flyers with QR codes. Responses were analyzed to identify trends and correlations in disposable ENDS use among college students. The survey was approved by USC IRB, Study ID: UP-22-00023. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Between March 6 and October 28, 2022, 166 completed survey responses were collected; 158 were students. 80.4% (127/158) of surveys were eligible for analysis with the following criteria: 18-20 years old, under the US legal age to use ENDS. Of respondents aged 18-20, 57.5% (73/127) reported using ENDS at least once. 79.5% (58/73) of underage respondents used disposable ENDS and 72.9% (51/70) reported disposable ENDS as their usual device. 93.0% (53/57) of underage users reported using a flavored product, 56.1% (32/57) reported Flum®as their usual brand, 48.2% (27/56) reported convenience of use as the most attractive aspect of disposable ENDS, and 46.4% (26/56) obtained disposable ENDS from a convenience store. Of all disposable ENDS-using respondents, 98.7% (75/76) used for the first time while under the age of 21. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The survey continues to be open for data collection, with the goal of obtaining additional data. The goal with the additional data will be to create a comprehensive list of identified risk factors influencing underage disposable ENDS use and to suggest specific regulatory and policy reform to better address underage nicotine addiction.