Associations between the Frequency of Electronic Cigarette Use and Smoking-related Characteristics among Adolescent Smokers

Purpose: We aimed to identify associations between the frequency of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and smoking-related characteristics among adolescent smokers.Methods: We used data from the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey.The participants were 3,722 smokers who had smoked cigarettes on at least one day during the past 30 days.The frequency of e-cigarette use was defined as the number of days that participants used e-cigarettes during the past 30 days, and was divided into four categories: 0, 1~2, 3~9, and≥10 days.We used the x 2 test and multinomial logistic regression to examine the associations between the frequency of e-cigarette use and smoking-related characteristics.Results: Those who attempted to quit smoking, had used a heated tobacco product (HTP) at least once, or initiated e-cigarette use before middle school were more likely to use e-cigarettes for 3~9 days in the past 30 days.More frequent e-cigarette use (≥10 days) was associated with a higher frequency and greater amount of cigarette use, lifetime HTP use, and earlier initiation of e-cigarette use.Conclusion: Smoking-related characteristics differed by the frequency of e-cigarette use.Therefore, intervention programs targeting adolescent smokers should consider differences in smoking-related characteristics based on the frequency of e-cigarette use.