E-Cigarette, Nicotine Pouch, and Other Oral Nicotine Product Concept Flavor Use Descriptives and Associations with Demographics and Product Use Characteristics.

BACKGROUND

Descriptives and correlates of concept flavor (CF) use across e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other oral nicotine products (ONPs, e.g., nonmedicinal gums/lozenges/mints) were examined among adolescents and young adults (AYAs).

METHOD: AYAs aged 14-25 years old ever having used a tobacco product (N = 987) were surveyed in May-June 2024. AYAs ever using e-cigarettes (n = 684), nicotine pouches (n = 347), or other ONPs (n = 189) completed measures of CF use and other factors for the products they reported using. Analyses included chi-square and t-tests.

RESULTS

CF e-cigarette, nicotine pouch, and other ONP use was between 31.8 and 40.2% in AYAs who ever used each respective product; 3.3% reported CF use across all products. Most perceived that CF products used produced non-tobacco sensations (fruity/cooling/minty; 79.5-96.4%). Compared to lifetime nonuse of respective products, lifetime alcohol and cigarette, smokeless, and other tobacco use were associated with CF e-cigarette use; smokeless tobacco use was associated with CF nicotine pouches and other ONPs use. CF e-cigarette use associated with higher e-cigarette use frequency and intensity compared to nonuse.

CONCLUSIONS

AYA CF use spans several noncombustible nicotine products, produces fruity/cooling/minty sensations, and is associated with higher intensity vaping and substance co-use. Modifying regulatory policies to address CFs might protect AYAs.