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Gender Differences in U.S. Adolescent E-Cigarette Use

  • Women and Addictions (CM Mazure and Y Zakiniaeiz, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Addiction Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This study aims to review the recent (2012–2017) available gender difference data on e-cigarette use among adolescents.

Recent Findings

E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among adolescents, and recent study findings showed that e-cigarette use can lead to cigarette smoking. However, gender differences in e-cigarette use among adolescents are relatively unknown.

Summary

We used the search terms “adolescents” and “e-cigarettes” on PubMed and identified 652 articles. Of these, 16 articles (2.5%) examined gender differences in adolescent e-cigarette use. Boys appear to have greater use of e-cigarettes, but girls may be at increased risk if e-cigarettes are targeted to them, as it has been for cigarettes. Data on gender differences are limited, and future research should continue to examine gender differences in e-cigarette use. Trends in use rates could evolve with new regulations and innovations in e-cigarette marketing and product features.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grant P50DA036151, awarded to the Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or the FDA.

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Correspondence to Grace Kong.

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G.K., K.E.K., and S.K.-S. declare they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Women and Addictions

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Kong, G., Kuguru, K.E. & Krishnan-Sarin, S. Gender Differences in U.S. Adolescent E-Cigarette Use. Curr Addict Rep 4, 422–430 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0176-5

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