A new survey of young adults with a cancer history indicated that almost one-half reported having ever used an e-cigarette.1 Rates of e-cigarette use — commonly known as vaping — were significantly higher among young adults with a history of cancer than among their healthy peers, the study showed.
“These results suggest that current efforts to reduce vaping may benefit from targeted interventions among young adult cancer survivors,” the study authors wrote.
The analysis included data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey, a telephone survey conducted annually. Survey participants were aged 18 to 39 years; 54,931 individuals participated.
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For this study, the researchers analyzed responses to the following questions: 1) Have you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic vaping product, even just 1 time, in your entire life?, and 2) Do you now use e-cigarettes or other electronic vaping products every day, some days, or not at all?
Of the 1444 young adult respondents with a history of cancer, 46.7% reported having ever used e-cigarettes. This compared with only 39.1% of respondents with no history of cancer (P <.001).
Although the result was not statistically significant, young adults with a cancer history were also more likely to remain “current” e-cigarette users compared with healthy peers (31.3% vs 26.9%, respectively).
An adjusted logistic regression analysis showed young adults who were categorized as non-Hispanic white, younger, male, and living in urban areas were more likely to have ever used, or currently be using, e-cigarettes.
Reference
Parsons HM, Jewett PI, Sadak K, Turcotte LM, Vogel RI, Blaes AH. e-Cigarette use among young adult cancer survivors relative to the US population [published online April 9, 2020]. JAMA Oncol. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.0384
