American officials who are freaking out about the rising popularity of electronic cigarettes, especially among teenagers, generally fail to distinguish between experimentation and regular use.
In fact, as Boston University public health professor Michael Siegel points out, surveys sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not even ask about frequency of use beyond once or more in the previous month. Two recent studies highlight the importance of inquiring further, showing that very few nonsmokers who have tried e-cigarettes are regular users.
One study, which Siegel discussed on his blog last Friday, analyzed data from the Youth Tobacco Policy Survey, which is sponsored by Cancer Research UK.
The survey of 1,200 British 11-to-16-year-olds found that 12 percent reported trying e-cigarettes but only 2 percent reported using them more often than once a month, while just 1 percent reported using them more often than once a week.
Furthermore, "regular e-cigarette use was found only in children who also smoked tobacco," belying CDC Director Tom Frieden's warnings that such products are luring teenagers who have never used tobacco into nicotine habits that might ultimately lead to smoking..."
The survey of 1,200 British 11-to-16-year-olds found that 12 percent reported trying e-cigarettes but only 2 percent reported using them more often than once a month, while just 1 percent reported using them more often than once a week.
Furthermore, "regular e-cigarette use was found only in children who also smoked tobacco," belying CDC Director Tom Frieden's warnings that such products are luring teenagers who have never used tobacco into nicotine habits that might ultimately lead to smoking..."
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