Abstract
To determine the penetration of heated tobacco products (HTPs) into the youth market in Taiwan, with a particular focus on the correlation between IQOS use and the usage of other tobacco products. Data from the 2018 Global Youth Tobacco Survey were used to assess previous experience with and current use (within 30 days prior to survey completion) of IQOS products by Taiwanese students aged 12-18 years. Independent variables included the usage patterns of conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The control variables included background information (gender, grade, monthly income/allowance, household educational level, smoking status at home and among close friends), access to free cigarettes, as well as exposure to cigarette advertisements and anti-tobacco courses. Logistic regression was used to identify tobacco usage patterns correlated with IQOS use. In 2018, 2.33% of Taiwan's adolescents were currently using IQOS and 4.17% had tried IQOS. The use of conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes (individually and together) were associated with an elevated risk of the ever use and current use of IQOS. Despite the fact that HTP products are not sold legally in Taiwan, the use of IQOS products by young people is far from negligible. We recommend amending the "Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act" to include regulations pertaining to the sale and marketing of HTPs.
Highlights
We recommend amending the “Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act” to include regulations pertaining to the sale and marketing of heated tobacco products (HTPs)
Any interested researcher may apply to the Health Promotion Administration for access to Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data
Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) heat tobacco to a lower temperature than that of a combusted cigarette to create an aerosol that the user inhales [1]
Summary
Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) heat tobacco to a lower temperature than that of a combusted cigarette to create an aerosol that the user inhales [1]. In 2017, Kim et al conducted an online survey of young adults in South Korea aged 19–24 years. They found that nearly 40% of the respondents had heard of IQOS, roughly 6% had tried the product, and 3.5% were current users [7]. Reported that roughly 7.0% of youths (England = 5.6%, Canada = 6.4%, and USA = 9.1%) aged 16–19 years were aware of IQOS products and 38.6% of those (England = 41.8%, Canada = 33.0%, and USA = 40.9%) were interested in trying the product. In 2017, Liu et al [10] reported that among young adults in Italy (aged 15 years), 19.5% were aware of IQOS, 1.4% had tried it, and 2.3% were intending to try it
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