Few U.S. adults use USB-shaped electronic vapor products

(HealthDay)—About 7.9 percent of U.S. adults reported ever use of electronic vapor products (EVPs) shaped like universal serial bus (USB) flash drives in 2018, according to a study published online April 25 in Tobacco Control.

Kristy L. Marynak, M.P.P., from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues examined data from the SummerStyles internet survey of 4,088 U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Respondents were asked about ever use, current use, and reasons for use of EVPs shaped like USB flash drives.

The researchers found that 7.9 percent of participants had ever used flash drive-shaped EVPs in 2018, including 25.7 and 45.9 percent of current cigarette smokers and current EVP users, respectively. Two percent reported current use, including 6.8 and 34.3 percent of current cigarette smokers and EVP users, respectively. Leading reasons for use included to deliver nicotine and because friends and family used them (30.7 and 30.2 percent, respectively).

"Few U.S. adults use flash drive-shaped EVPs, and less than one-fourth of ever users cite tobacco cessation as a reason for use," the authors write. "As these products are more commonly used among youth than adults, efforts are warranted to prevent youth access to and use of flash drive-shaped EVPs while continuing to assess their potential to help adult smokers quit completely."

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