Demographic Characteristics Associated With Adolescent Receipt of Provider E-Cigarette Screening and Advice and the Impact on Harm Perception

Introduction: The growing prevalence of E-cigarette use among adolescents is alarming because it increases the probability of persistent tobacco use and addiction to nicotine. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to influence their patients’ use of E-cigarettes. The purpose of the study is...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: John S. Acosta-Peñaloza, MS, Karen W. Geletko, MPH, Jon Mills, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:AJPM Focus
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773065424001275
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Summary:Introduction: The growing prevalence of E-cigarette use among adolescents is alarming because it increases the probability of persistent tobacco use and addiction to nicotine. Healthcare providers are in a unique position to influence their patients’ use of E-cigarettes. The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency at which providers screen adolescents for E-cigarette use and advise against use during healthcare visits. The study also examines associations between provider intervention and adolescent harm perception. Methods: Using data from the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, the authors examined provider E-cigarette screening and advice to not use from 16,910 participants who self-reported receiving medical care within the preceding year. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess whether the odds of provider intervention varied by age, sex, and race/ethnicity and whether receiving provider intervention was associated with a likelihood for harm perception. Results: Provider intervention was more likely among those aged 13–18 years, who are male, and who are White and/or non-Hispanic (p<0.001). The authors found no association between provider intervention and increased harm perception of E-cigarettes; however, provider intervention was associated with the belief that E-cigarettes are equally or more addictive than cigarettes (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Study findings emphasize the significance of addressing disparities in E-cigarette use and healthcare provider intervention among minority adolescents, underscoring the need for healthcare providers to be thorough in screening for E-cigarette use and providing appropriate cessation support.
ISSN:2773-0654