Associations of motivation to quit smoking or vaping, quitting self-efficacy, and quit attempts with oral nicotine pouch use.

Oral Nicotine Pouch (ONP) use is more common among people who smoke cigarettes or vape nicotine, with smoking or vaping cessation identified as a main motive for use. However, evidence is limited as to how variables that may be considered precursors to successful smoking or vaping cessation (e.g., motivation to quit, self-efficacy) are associated with current ONP use. To address this gap, we collected cross-sectional data from 700 U.S. adults (M age = 33.3, SD = 5.5, 45% women; 65% White) who primarily smoked cigarettes (n = 350) or vaped (n = 350). Results showed that motivation to quit smoking and vaping was inversely associated with past-30-day ONP use frequency among individuals who primarily smoked [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 0.82 (0.70, 0.95), p < 0.01] and primarily vaped [IRR = 0.81 (0.68, 0.97), p < 0.05], respectively. Among individuals who primarily smoked, greater number of past-year quit attempts, but not self-efficacy or trying to quit smoking at present, was positively associated with higher frequency of past-30-day ONP use [IRR = 1.09 (1.03, 1.16), p < 0.01]. Among individuals who primarily vaped, self-efficacy, but not past-year quit attempts or trying to quit vaping at present, was positively associated with higher past-30-day ONP use frequency [IRR = 1.07 (1.01, 1.14), p < 0.05]. Based on the current data, lower motivation to quit smoking or vaping may be associated with higher past-month ONP use count. More population-based studies are needed to better understand the consequences of ONP use on smoking and vaping.