Abstract
The public health impact of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) is subject to a complex set of uncertain transitions between NVP and cigarette use. Instead, we apply an indirect method to gauge the impact of NVP use on smoking prevalence and smoking-attributable deaths (SADs) using the well-established SimSmoke tobacco control policy simulation model. Upon validating the model before NVPs were more widely used, we project a No-NVP (i.e., in the absence of NVPs) while controlling for the impact of cigarette-oriented policies. The net impact of NVPs on smoking prevalence is inferred by comparing the projected No-NVP smoking trends to corresponding trends from two US national surveys. Using the TUS-CPS estimates for the period 2012–2018, we estimate that adult smoking prevalence declined in relative terms by 9.7% (95% CI: 7.5–11.7%) for males and 10.7% (95% CI: 9.1–13.0%) for females. Compared to NHIS, smoking prevalence declined by 10.7% (95% CI: 6.8–14.6%) for males and 11.3% (95% CI: 7.4–15.6%) for females. These impacts were confined mainly to ages 18–44. Vaping-related reductions in smoking prevalence were projected to avert nearly 0.4 million SADs between 2012 and 2052. Our analysis indicates that NVP use is associated with substantial reductions in US smoking prevalence among younger adults.
Highlights
Since the Surgeon General’s Report in 1964, smoking prevalence has declined by more than 50% in the US [1,2]
While simulation models project that US smoking prevalence will continue to decline under current policies [3,7,8,9,10,11], they indicate that prevalence will not drop below 10% for at least another two decades
The SimSmoke projected 2010 male smoking prevalence was 17.9% compared to 17.2% from Tobacco Use Supplement-Current Population Survey (TUS-CPS) and 21.5% from National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
Summary
Since the Surgeon General’s Report in 1964, smoking prevalence has declined by more than 50% in the US [1,2]. While simulation models project that US smoking prevalence will continue to decline under current policies [3,7,8,9,10,11], they indicate that prevalence will not drop below 10% for at least another two decades. As a country with relatively unrestrictive policies [12,13], the US provides a case study of the potential impact of NVPs on smoking.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
