Association of e-Cigarette Vaping and Progression to Heavier Patterns of Cigarette Smoking

Abstract

E-cigarette vaping is reported by 37% of US 10th-grade adolescents¹ and is associated with subsequent initiation of combustible cigarette smoking.² Whether individuals who vape and transition to combustible cigarettes are experimenting or progress to more frequent and heavy smoking is unknown. In addition, because some adolescents use e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid,³ adolescent smokers who vape could be more likely to reduce their smoking levels over time. Therefore, associations of vaping with subsequent smoking frequency and heaviness pattern among adolescents were examined.