Examining E-Cigarette Purchases and Cessation in a Consumer Panel of Smokers

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Zachary Cahn, American Cancer Society; Regine Haardoerfer, Emory University; Michael Lewis, Emory University; Yanwen Wang, University of Colorado; Carla Berg, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-03-01
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP): STM Journals
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2018 The Author(s).
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jsc.2018.11
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Smoking Cessation
• ISSN: 1834-2612
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 32
• End Page: 41
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute (1R21CA198455-01, PI: Berg; U01CA154282-01, PI: Kegler).
• Keywords: tobacco; cessation; e-cigarettes; nicotine replacement; retail purchases; cig-a-like product
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Objectives: Examine correlates of initiation of e-cigarette use among smokers and determine the impact of e-cigarette use on cessation among smokers in a national U.S. consumer panel. Methods: This study used the Nielsen Homescan Panel data from 2011 to 2013, augmented with state-specific measures of tobacco control activities, to examine (1) correlates of single and repeat e-cigarette purchasing among panellists currently purchasing cigarettes; and (2) correlates of 'cessation'. Participating panellists scanned all retail purchases, and Nielsen recorded over 3 million product types. The key explanatory variable for cessation was e-cigarette purchase. Parallel analysis was conducted for conventional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) purchase. Cessation was defined as no purchases for at least 6 months and no subsequent purchases until the end of 2013. Analysis was conducted in 2015. E-cigarettes tracked by Nielsen during this period were cig-a-like products resembling tobacco cigarettes in appearance. Results: Single e-cigarette purchase was associated with whether the panellist resided in a single person male household and bought a higher volume of cigarettes. Repeat purchase was associated with higher state cigarette taxes, less stringent state public smoke-free policies, lower cigarette prices, and more frequent cigarette purchasing. Cessation was associated with repeat e-cigarette purchasing, repeat NRT purchasing, younger age, lower monthly cigarette volume, less frequent purchasing of cigarettes, less recent cigarette purchase at baseline, and single e-cigarette purchase before baseline. Conclusions: Both individual and policy variables were associated with e-cigarette use. Repeat e-cigarette purchase was associated with cigarette purchase discontinuation, as were various smoking intensity measures.