E-cigarette Retail Research Articles

Violation of US regulations regarding online marketing and sale of e-cigarettes: FDA warnings and retailer responses

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to characterise all 2018 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letters specific to e-cigarette products and to evaluate whether online retailers complied with FDA...

Cigarette and E-Cigarette Retail Marketing on and Near California Tribal Lands.

Introduction. Retail settings are major channels for the tobacco industry to market commercial tobacco products. However, few studies have examined marketing strategies on Tribal lands. The resulting evidence is important, especially given that American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth and adults have the highest smoking prevalence of any racial/ethnic group in the United States. In this study, we examined cigarette, e-cigarette, and vape/vaporizer availability, advertising, and price-reducing promotions in retail settings on and within a 1-mile radius of Tribal lands in California. Method. Trained AI/AN community health representatives (n = 8) conducted store observations (n = 96) using a checklist adapted from the Standardized Tobacco Assessment for Retail Settings observation tool. Chi-square analyses were performed to look for potential differences in availability, exterior advertising, and price promotions for cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vapes between stores. Results. All stores sold cigarettes and over 95% sold menthol cigarettes. Nearly 25% of stores on Tribal lands were located inside a casino, and 40.4% of stores on Tribal lands offered a Tribal member discount. Stores within a 1-mile radius of Tribal lands sold significantly (p < .01) more e-cigarettes (69.8%), including flavored e-cigarettes (53.4%), compared to stores on Tribal lands (37.7% and 28.3%, respectively). Price promotions for cigarettes were significantly (p < .01) more common in stores located within a 1-mile radius of Tribal lands (46.5%) than stores on Tribal lands (22.6%). Discussion. To our knowledge, this study is the first to use store observations to examine cigarette and e-cigarette availability, advertising, and price promotions in retail settings on and near California Tribal lands. We recommend future studies build on our initial efforts to take an AI/AN Tribal community-engaged approach in assessing and documenting tobacco marketing practices on and near Tribal lands. Tribal governments can consider tobacco policies to help reduce smoking disparities and advance health equity for their communities.

E-cigarette Retail Licensing Policy and E-cigarette Use Among Adolescents

PurposeThe present study evaluated whether Pennsylvania's 2016 law requiring a retail license for the sale of e-cigarettes was associated with adolescent e-cigarette use. MethodsData were drawn from the 2015–2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. We examined the prepolicy and postpolicy change in e-cigarette use for the state with the retail licensing requirement (Pennsylvania) compared with control states (New York and Virginia). ResultsResults showed that e-cigarette licensing policy was significantly associated with e-cigarette use. E-cigarette use among Pennsylvania adolescents reduced by 5.2 percentage points in 2017 when compared with New York adolescents, and a corresponding 21.6% decrease from its baseline prevalence level in 2015. Similarly, there was a 7.4 percentage point decrease in e-cigarette use in Pennsylvania when compared with Virginia (30.7% relative decrease from the baseline prevalence). ConclusionsAn e-cigarette retail licensing requirement may be a useful policy tool in reducing e-cigarette use among adolescents.

Exploring the association between E-cigarette retailer proximity and density to schools and youth E-cigarette use.

Limited evidence exists examining the association between e-cigarette retailer density and e-cigarette use among youth. This study explored whether e-cigarette retailer proximity and density to schools were associated with youth use of e-cigarettes in 4 Canadian provinces. Between October and December 2017, an online search identified e-cigarette retailers within 500 m, 1000 m, and 1500 m circular buffer zones around high schools (N = 122) that participated in the COMPASS study in 2017–18. Retailer proximity/density data were linked to student-level data (N = 63,400 students). Multilevel regression models examined the association between e-cigarette retailer proximity and density and ever and current e-cigarette use, controlling for relevant covariates. Results indicated the average school had <1 e-cigarette retailer within 500 m, 1000 m, and 1500 m. Significant between-school variability in the likelihood of ever [σ2μ0 = 0.215 (0.030), p < .0001] and current [σ2μ0 = 0.258 (0.036), p < .0001] e-cigarette use was found among students. However, after controlling for relevant covariates, e-cigarette retailer proximity and density surrounding a school were not significantly associated with the likelihood of ever or currently using e-cigarettes. These findings suggest that students are accessing e-cigarettes through other sources.

Vaping versus JUULing: how the extraordinary growth and marketing of JUUL transformed the US retail e-cigarette market

BackgroundWhile national surveys showed declines in e-cigarette use in the USA between 2015 and 2016, recent reports indicate that JUUL, a sleekly designed e-cigarette that looks like a USB drive,...

National and State-Specific Unit Sales and Prices for Electronic Cigarettes, United States, 2012-2016.

IntroductionFew studies have explored patterns of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) sales and prices by product type over time. We used US retail scanner data to assess national and state-specific trends in e-cigarette unit sales and prices for 4 product types sold from 2012 through 2016.MethodsUsing retail scanner data from the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC, for convenience stores; supermarkets; mass merchandisers; drug, dollar, and club stores; and military commissaries, we assessed data on monthly unit sales and inflation-adjusted prices by 4 products (rechargeables, disposables, prefilled cartridges, and e-liquids) sold during the 5-year study period. We evaluated national and state trends by using Joinpoint regression (P < .05).ResultsFrom 2012 through 2016, average national monthly unit sales significantly increased for all products, while average monthly prices of rechargeables, disposables, and prefilled cartridges significantly decreased. In 2016, prefilled cartridges had the highest average sales (766 units per 100,000 people) and the lowest average price ($14.36 per unit). By state, average monthly sales significantly increased for at least 1 of 4 e-cigarette products in all 48 states and Washington, DC. However, during the same period, average monthly prices significantly decreased in 39 states for rechargeables, in 31 states for disposables, in 20 states for prefilled cartridges, and in 8 states for e-liquids.ConclusionOverall, US e-cigarette unit sales generally increased as product prices decreased. These findings demonstrate the rapidly evolving landscape of US e-cigarette retail marketplace. Ongoing surveillance of e-cigarette unit sales and price is critical for informing and evaluating evidence-based tobacco control strategies.

Sociodemographic disparities in e-cigarette retail environment: Vape stores and census tract characteristics in Orange County, CA

Research shows disproportionate availability of tobacco retailers in disadvantaged neighborhoods, but little is known about the neighborhood correlates of e-cigarette specialty retailers (i.e., “vape stores”). We compiled addresses for all vape stores in Orange County (OC) (n = 174), CA, using a systematic internet search. Using American Community Survey data, we investigated the spatial structure and census tract correlates of vape store count. 23.4% of census tracts had at least one vape store, and those areas had higher percentage Hispanic population. Multivariate zero-inflated Poisson regressions revealed a higher incidence rate of vape stores in tracts with larger proportions of Hispanics, lower population density, and greater tobacco retailer density, net of other sociodemographic factors and zoning. These results suggest nicotine control initiatives in the age of e-cigarettes must consider the locational strategies of e-cigarette retailers, which are more common in Hispanic communities and areas already marked by tobacco retail activity.

Control frames dominate E-cigarette news articles

A content analysis of how e-cigarettes are framed in news stories and editorials in leading newspapers revealed content largely supportive of tobacco control initiatives for e-cigarettes. The FDA and CDC were the most quoted sources in e-cigarette control framed stories, whereas e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers were the most quoted sources in content with a dominant frame focused on the e-cigarette industry.

Recommendations: Will the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act go far enough?

E-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults in Canada is increasing. Potvin's (2016) editorial outlined the need for more evidence on e-cigarettes as a gateway to combustible cigarettes and their toxicity. Since then, new evidence has emerged supporting the gateway effect and establishing toxicity. Health Canada has reviewed the evidence and recently opted to regulate e-cigarettes, including prohibiting brick-and-mortar retail access for youth under 18 years of age. However, many online e-cigarette retailers exist, which increases adolescents' access to e-cigarettes and currently unregulated nicotine-containing refills. Recent evidence on the toxicity of particular compounds in e-cigarette refills has demonstrated how these compounds may be amplified by certain types of e-cigarette devices. The toxicity of e-cigarettes is not only of concern to the user but potentially a concern to the public as well. The message that e-cigarettes have a benign effect on users and the public needs to change and should be reflected in Health Canada's future regulations concerning the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act.

Clean, cheap, convenient: promotion of Electronic cigarettes on YouTube.

INTRODUCTIONVideos promoting electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) can be easily accessed on YouTube. Marketing claims present in YouTube videos may help shape the public’s opinion of e-cigarettes. Thus, it is important to understand the most frequent marketing claims and video sources.METHODSThe objectives of this study were to 1) identify marketing claims in YouTube videos that are commonly made on e-cigarette retail websites and 2) compare the frequency of marketing claims in user-generated and professional YouTube videos. Through content analysis, this study evaluated six marketing claims and descriptive information about YouTube videos (n = 50) related to “electronic cigarettes” and “vape”.RESULTSOverall, the most frequent marketing claim promoted e-cigarette use as better than traditional tobacco use (52%). Approximately 65% of videos appeared to be user-generated and 35% were professionally-produced. Compared to user-generated videos, significantly more professional videos made claims that e-cigarettes are cleaner (p < 0.001) and cheaper (p = 0.04) than traditional cigarettes. Additionally, more professional videos had claims promoting e-cigarettes as better than traditional cigarettes because of their convenience—the user can smoke anywhere (p < 0.0001) and the products do not produce secondhand smoke (p < 0.001). The most frequent claim in user-generated videos was related to recreation (53%).CONCLUSIONSVideos on YouTube promote e-cigarettes as safer than other tobacco products. Videos appearing to be user-generated contained different marketing claims compared to professional videos. Further research is necessary to assess how the perceived source of the video impacts the ways these marketing claims shape public perception and influence use.

Electronic cigarette retailers use Pokémon Go to market products

Recently, we witnessed a new marketing strategy in which vape shops and online e-cigarette retailers have harnessed the popularity of the interactive smartphone game Pokemon Go to promote vaping products....

E-cigarette use among students and e-cigarette specialty retailer presence near schools

ObjectiveThis study examined the association between presence of e-cigarette specialty retailers near schools and e-cigarette use among middle and high school students in Orange County (OC), CA. MethodsThe OC subsample of the 2013–2014 California Healthy Kids Survey (N=67,701) was combined with geocoded e-cigarette retailers to determine whether a retailer was present within one-quarter mile of each public school in OC. Multilevel logistic regression models evaluated individual-level and school-level e-cigarette use correlates among middle and high school students. ResultsAmong middle school students, the presence of an e-cigarette retailer within one-quarter mile of their school predicted lifetime e-cigarette use (OR=1.70, 95% CI=1.02, 2.83), controlling for confounders but no effect for current use. No significant effect was found for high school students. ConclusionsE-cigarette specialty retailers clustered around schools may be an environmental influence on student e-cigarette experimentation.

Association Between Electronic Cigarette Marketing Near Schools and E-cigarette Use Among Youth

PurposeElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are now the most popular tobacco product among youth. Little is known about the relationship between exposure to e-cigarette marketing at the point-of-sale and youth e-cigarette use. MethodsResearch staff collected data on e-cigarette availability and promotion in tobacco retailers within a half-mile of 41 schools participating in the 2014 New Jersey Youth Tobacco Survey. These data were linked with participant responses from the New Jersey Youth Tobacco Survey (n = 3,909) and log-Poisson regression models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios for ever and past-month e-cigarette use. ResultsNearly a quarter of high school students in New Jersey have tried e-cigarettes (24.1%) and 12.1% were past-month users. Prevalence was highest among males, non-Hispanic whites, and students who have used other tobacco products. After controlling for covariates and the clustered nature of the data, e-cigarette retailer density around schools was positively associated with ever and past-month use of e-cigarettes (p < .05). E-cigarette advertising volume significantly increased the probability of being a past-month e-cigarette user (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.03, p = .031). ConclusionsThis study suggests that the point-of-sale environment around schools may contribute to e-cigarette use among youth. Policy efforts to restrict tobacco promotion at the point-of-sale may play a role in reducing the use of e-cigarettes.

Support for electronic cigarette regulations among California voters

Policies regulating the sale and use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) vary widely within the USA and worldwide. We assessed support for four proposed policies among a representative sample of California...

Reasons for Using Electronic Cigarettes and Intentions to Quit Among Electronic Cigarette Users in Malaysia.

The rapidly increasing uptake of e-cigarettes in Malaysia as of late demands a study to identify factors leading to its increased popularity and user intentions to quit smoking e-cigarettes. A convenience sample of e-cigarette smokers visiting e-cigarette retail shops in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur was recruited. The majority of e-cigarette smokers were youth in colleges or universities (39%), and young professionals and managers (36%). The main reasons for using e-cigarettes were to help the user quit tobacco cigarettes (88%), the perception that e-cigarettes are not as intrusive as tobacco cigarettes (85%) and can be used in public areas (70%), the perception that e-cigarettes are healthier than tobacco cigarettes (85%), and its relatively lower cost compared to tobacco cigarettes (65%). A total of 65.3% of respondents expressed intentions to quit e-cigarettes. In a multivariate analysis, the respondents who earned monthly income of RM1000 or less were significantly more likely to intend to quit smoking e-cigarettes [OR 1.551; 95% CI 1.022-2.355; p=0.015] compared to the respondents who earned a monthly income of more than RM2000. The respondents who disagreed with the statement 'Smoking e-cigs is relatively cheaper compared to tobacco cigarettes' were significantly more likely to intend to quit smoking e-cigarettes [OR 1.548; 95% CI 1.045-2.293; p=0.027] compared to respondents who did not agree. e-cigarette preventive interventions should target areas related to the identified main reasons for using e-cigarettes, namely as an aid for quitting tobacco cigarettes, the perception that e-cigarettes are not as intrusive as tobacco cigarettes and can be used in public areas, the idea that e-cigarettes are healthier than tobacco cigarettes, and its relatively lower cost compared to tobacco cigarettes.

Pricing and sales tax collection policies for e-cigarette starter kits and disposable products sold online.

Previous studies have examined marketing characteristics of e-cigarettes sold online and others have examined e-cigarettes pricing in retail (non-Internet) settings. This study expands on these findings by examining pricing and marketing characteristics of interest among e-cigarette online vendors. Structured web searches were conducted from August-September 2014 to identify popular e-cigarette Internet vendors. We then collected pricing data (e-cigarette starter kits and disposables), sales tax collection policies and other vendor marketing characteristics. Average price for each product category was then compared with marketing characteristics using linear regression for continuous variables and independent t-tests for binary variables. Our searches yielded 44 e-cigarette Internet vendors of which 77% (n = 34) sold a total of 238 starter kit offerings (Mprice = $55.89). Half (n = 22) sold disposable types of e-cigarettes (Mprice = $7.17 p/e-cigarette) at a price lower than reported elsewhere in retail settings. Average disposable e-cigarette prices were also significantly higher for vendors displaying more health warning notices (P = 0.001). Only 46% disclosed sales tax collection policies and only 39% collected sales tax in their state of business. This study expands on current understanding of e-cigarette pricing and availability online and finds variation in e-cigarette pricing may be influenced by type of product, use of online health warnings and vendor sales tax collection policies. It also finds that e-cigarette online access and availability may be impacted by a combination of pricing and marketing strategies uniquely different from e-cigarette retail settings that requires further study and targeted policy-making. [Cuomo RE, Miner A, Mackey TK. Pricing and sales tax collection policies for e-cigarette starter kits and disposable products sold online. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015].

Retail availability and marketing of electronic cigarettes in Canada.

Canada is among an increasing number of countries with restrictions on the sale of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). In Canada, e-cigarettes containing nicotine have not been approved for sale; however, e-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine and do not make health claims can be sold. To date, there is little empirical evidence assessing the retail availability and marketing of e-cigarettes in countries such as Canada. Audits were conducted at 59 brick-and-mortar retail outlets (grocery stores, convenience stores, tobacconist shops and vape shops) in four cities (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax) in August-October 2014. In addition, a total of 21 e-cigarette manufacturer/retailer websites were audited, and inquiries were made as to whether the companies sold nicotine-containing products. Overall, 76% of the retail outlets sold e-cigarette products. Of convenience stores, grocery stores and tobacconist shops with e-cigarettes for sale, the vast majority (94%) sold nicotine-free products only; in contrast, all the vape shops sold at least one nicotine-containing e-cigarette product. Front counter displays were the most common form of in-store promotions and were present in virtually all convenience stores, tobacconist shops and vape shops. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes were available for purchase at approximately half (52%) of the online e-cigarette retailers surveyed. E-cigarettes with and without nicotine are widely available and marketed at a variety of retail outlets in Canada. "Illegal" sales of nicotinecontaining e-cigarettes were predominantly found at vape shops and online outlets, suggesting limited compliance with existing regulations.

The impact of price and tobacco control policies on the demand for electronic nicotine delivery systems

BackgroundWhile much is known about the demand for conventional cigarettes, little is known about the determinants of demand for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS or e-cigarettes). The goal of this...

The availability of electronic cigarettes in US retail outlets, 2012: results of two national studies

BackgroundSince their introduction in 2007, electronic cigarette (‘e-cigarette’) awareness and use has grown rapidly. Little is known about variation in e-cigarette availability across areas with different levels of tobacco taxes...

Effects of duration of electronic cigarette use.

This study examined the effect of duration electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use on e-cigarette dependence, frequency of use, and strength of nicotine solution as well as number of cigarettes smoked per day. Individuals were recruited at e-cigarette retail locations in a large Midwestern metropolitan city of the United States in July 2013. A total of 159 participants completed a brief 29-item self-report measure that assessed behaviors and perceptions of use. The mean age of the participants was 35.8 years; 84.4% were White, and 53.7% were male. Increased duration of e-cigarette use was associated with fewer cigarettes smoked per day and differing patterns of dependence to e-cigarettes contingent upon smoking history. Additionally, increased duration of e-cigarette use was associated with increased frequency of use; however, this finding became nonsignificant when current tobacco cigarette use was accounted for, suggesting that individuals may increase e-cigarette use frequency as they decrease cigarette use. Overall, e-cigarette users tended to decrease the strength of nicotine in their e-cigarette products regardless of duration of use. Although preliminary in nature, this study identifies several factors that are important to consider when examining the effects of prolonged e-cigarette use. The implications of the current results should be informative to future studies that examine these variables in longitudinal designs.