Abstract P203: Determinants Of Perceived Factors Discouraging Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Use Among Youth

Abstract

Introduction: Despite cardiovascular and other health risks, youth use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has reached an epidemic level. Studies have examined factors associated with ENDS use, but little is known about factors discouraging youth ENDS use. We examined youth sociodemographic and tobacco/ENDS use determinants of perceived factors discouraging ENDS use. Methods: Data from a nationwide online survey of youth were weighted to be representative of the overall U.S. population in terms of age, sex, race, ethnicity, and region. Participants selected up to 3 reasons that would discourage their use of ENDS. Results: Of 3000 participants, 55.7% were female, 20.1% Hispanic, and 13.7% non-Hispanic Black; 7.3% current ENDS only, 6.2% current cigarette/other products only, 10.8% current dual/poly, 32.1% any past product, and 43.7% never used. Health risk akin to smoking was the most often selected factor discouraging ENDS use (50.4%), followed by harmful chemicals (47.1%), device dangers (26.0%), parent disapproval (24.4%), high nicotine level (23.3%), leads to smoking (21.0%), increased expense (17.9%), doctor/nurse discouraging (17.8%), friend criticizing (11.7%), and other (7.7%) (Fig 1A). Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that perceptions significantly varied by age, sex, race/ethnicity, parental education, and particularly tobacco/ENDS use status. For example, the odds of selecting health risk as discouraging were 34% lower in boys v. girls, 38% lower for current ENDS only users v. never users, and 33% higher in those with higher parental education (Fig 1B). Conclusions: For youth, perceived health risk was most important in discouraging ENDS use. Factors discouraging ENDS use were associated with participant sociodemographic and tobacco/ENDS use status. The findings have relevance for developing communication and education strategies to prevent or reduce ENDS use--thus reducing CVD/health burden--and suggest tailoring such messaging may be key to maximizing impact.