B3707 - Assessing young adult e-cigarette use and perceptions - 02/02/2021

B number: 
B3707
Principal applicant name: 
Katherine East | University of Waterloo (School of Public Health & Health Systems) & King's College London (Addictions Department, IoPPN)
Co-applicants: 
Professor Ann McNeill, Dr Sara Hitchman, Dr Ioannis Bakolis, Dr Jasmine Khouja, Dr Amy Taylor, Dr Olivia Maynard, Professor Marcus Munafò
Title of project: 
Assessing young adult e-cigarette use and perceptions
Proposal summary: 

Smoking is the world's leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, killing over seven million people annually. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. E-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, can successfully deliver nicotine, and can help some smokers quit. However, their long-term health effects are unknown, and there are concerns about e-cigarette use among non-smokers, including long-term use, nicotine dependence and potentially transitions to smoking.

This project aims to examine the patterns and predictors of e-cigarette use and smoking among young people in ALSPAC, with a focus on perceptions and attitudes towards use.

Impact of research: 
This project has the potential to impact e-cigarette and smoking policy and research. Findings will contribute towards the understanding of: 1. Whether non-smoking young adults are becoming regular users of e-cigarettes, dependent on nicotine, and/or transitioning to smoking. 2. Which groups of non-smokers are at-risk for regular e-cigarette use and/or nicotine dependence. 3. Which modifiable predictors of e-cigarette use could be targeted by prevention efforts.
Date proposal received: 
Monday, 1 February, 2021
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 2 February, 2021
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Addiction - e.g. alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking, gambling, etc., Behaviour - e.g. antisocial behaviour, risk behaviour, etc., Statistical methods, Nicotine, tobacco.