Perceived discrimination and youth vaping: The role of intersectional identities.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (also termed e-cigarette or vapes) often contain nicotine, an addictive psychoactive substance, which can have harmful effects during adolescence. Frequent experiences of discrimination are one risk factor shown to increase susceptibility to tobacco use, especially for individuals that identify as a social minority. Applying Intersectionality Theory, this research examined the relationship between youth experiences of discrimination and vape use at the intersection of race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey data from 4747 youth (ages 12-17) that participated in the 2022 Teens, Nicotine, and Tobacco Project (TNT) online survey were used to evaluate the impact of discrimination on vape use for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or queer/questioning (LGBQ+) youth of color. RESULTS: Multivariable regression analyses showed that identifying as both a sexual and racial/ethnic minority was a risk factor for experiencing discrimination. Frequent discrimination and reporting discrimination due to sexual orientation was associated with a greater likelihood of ever and current vaping. Path models supported that discrimination mediated the relationship between intersectional identity and vape use. LGBQ+ youth of color reported more frequent discrimination, which was associated with a greater likelihood of ever/current vape use. CONCLUSIONS: Intersectionality Theory aids in understanding how discrimination can exacerbate tobacco-related disparities for youth with multiple minority identities. Findings corroborate the importance of measuring discrimination in public health surveys. Effective tobacco interventions could incorporate strategies to cope with discrimination-related stress.

Self-perceived quality of social roles, activities and relationships predicts incident gingivitis.

OBJECTIVES: While physical health status is known to impact social functioning, a growing literature suggests that social well-being may affect oral health. This investigation evaluated whether self-perceived quality of social roles, activities and relationships (social well-being) influences gingival inflammation. METHODS: Data were from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, a nationally representative cohort of US adults, biennial waves 4 (2017) to 6 (2021). Social well-being was derived from the validated PROMIS Global-10 survey instrument, categorized for this longitudinal analysis as high, moderate or low. The main outcome was incident self-reported gum bleeding (dichotomous, proxy for gingivitis). Survey-weighted logistic regression modelling adjusted for overall health status, sociodemographic (e.g. age, sex, race/ethnicity), socioeconomic (e.g. income, education) and behavioural (e.g. tobacco, alcohol) confounders and was used to predict marginal mean gum bleeding incidence. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally at wave 4 (N = 23 679), gum bleeding prevalence was higher along a stepwise gradient of decreasing satisfaction with social activities and relationships (extremely satisfied: 20.4%; not at all: 40.1%). Longitudinally, among participants who had never reported gum bleeding through wave 4 (N = 9695), marginal predicted new gum bleeding at wave 6 was greater with each category of lower wave 4-5 social well-being (high: 7.6%; moderate: 8.6%; low: 12.4%). Findings were robust to alternative model specifications. Results should be interpreted considering study limitations (e.g. potential unmeasured confounding; outcome by self-report). CONCLUSIONS: Social functioning may affect physical health. Specifically, social roles, activities and relationships may influence inflammatory oral conditions, like gingivitis. Confirmatory research is warranted, along with policies and interventions that promote social well-being.

Patterns in Tobacco, E-Cigarette, and Cannabis Advertising Exposure Among California Adolescents and Associations With Future Use Expectations.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to tobacco, e-cigarette, or cannabis marketing is associated with adolescent use. Few studies have examined advertising exposure prevalence and patterns across these products concurrently. METHODS: This study assessed past 30-day recalled exposure to promotional messages about tobacco, e-cigarettes ("vapes" on the survey), and cannabis ("marijuana") from various sources among California adolescents (ages 12-17) in the 2022 Teens, Nicotine, and Tobacco Online Survey (N = 2530). Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to examine the underlying structure and patterns in advertising exposure sources. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between any advertising exposure and future use expectations (a susceptibility measure) in one year and at age 25 among current never-users. RESULTS: Overall, 65.9% of participants recently noticed at least one tobacco (52.5%), vape (51.5%), or marijuana (45.6%) advertisement. Gas stations or convenience stores were the most common source for tobacco or vape ads; billboards were for marijuana ads. In PCA, advertising exposure patterns correlated with advertising source, not the type of product. Exposures from tobacco-specific sources and nearer point of sale were associated with current use, older age, LGBTQ + identity, and sensation seeking. Among never-users, advertising exposure was associated with one-year and age-25 use expectations for cigarettes (one-year expectations adjusted odds ratio: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.5), vapes (2.3; 1.5, 3.5), and marijuana (2.1; 1.5, 3.0). CONCLUSION: California adolescents' exposure to tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis marketing is common, follows similar patterns, and is associated with use susceptibility. Comprehensive restrictions on marketing accessible to adolescents could help prevent youth use.

Engagement, Mental Health, and Substance Use Under In-Person or Remote School Instruction During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents' school engagement, mental health, and substance use have been major concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly given disruptions to school instruction. We examined how the instructional setting was associated with academic and health-related outcomes within an adolescent cohort followed during the pandemic. METHODS: During 3 semi-annual follow-up surveys, adolescents (N = 1066 students; 2242 observations) from 8 California high schools responded to items measuring academic self-efficacy, school connectedness, internalizing and externalizing problems, and use of substances. Separate generalized estimating equation models predicted outcomes based on the instructional setting. RESULTS: Relative to in-person instruction, students in remote instruction reported lower academic self-efficacy (Beta: -0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.22, -0.01) and school connectedness (Beta: -0.37; 95% CI: -0.48, -0.25), greater odds of past 30-day internalizing problems (AOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.95), externalizing problems (AOR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.82), and cigarette, cigar, smokeless tobacco, or hookah use (AOR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.91), but lower odds of past 30-day e-cigarette use (AOR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple adverse outcomes related to school engagement, mental health, and substance use were associated with remote instruction. To reduce such impacts under future emergencies, schools should rely sparingly on remote instruction and provide appropriate supportive resources.

"I think we can do without [tobacco]": support for policies to end the tobacco epidemic among California adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: The tobacco endgame, policies aiming to end the commercial tobacco epidemic, requires sustained public support, including among youth. We assessed endgame support among California (USA) adolescents, including their reasons and associated participant and policy-specific factors. METHODS: Teens, Nicotine and Tobacco Project online surveys (n=4827) and focus groups were conducted in 2021 and 2022 among California residents aged 12-17 years. Cross-sectional survey participants were asked their agreement level with eight policy statements related to tobacco and/or cannabis sales restrictions, use in public places and use in multiunit housing. Ordered logistic regression modelled level of agreement according to respondent characteristics, behaviours and statement content. Qualitative data were collected through focus groups (n=51 participants), which were analysed to provide insight into support for different policies. RESULTS: Most survey participants agreed or strongly agreed with tobacco product sales restrictions (72%-75%, depending on the policy), bans on use in public spaces (76%-82%) and smoke-free (79%) and vape-free (74%) apartment buildings. Support was stronger among younger, female, Asian and tobacco non-using participants and for policies directed at 'tobacco' (vs 'vapes' or cannabis), at flavoured tobacco (compared with all tobacco), and when statements featured 'should end' (vs 'not allowed'). Focus group participants who were supportive viewed policies as protecting children from harmful products, while those less supportive cited concerns about limiting adults' freedoms and unintended consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Most participants supported strong tobacco control policies. Public communication that promotes broader endgame benefits besides protecting youth and accelerates industry denormalisation may counter youth concerns and further bolster their support.

Prioritizing common terminology and measures to advance research on oral nicotine product use.

This commentary calls for consistent measurement of oral nicotine product use by the scientific community, recommends specific measures where possible, and emphasizes areas in need of further research. We hope to expedite the use of consistent measures of oral nicotine product use so that this area of tobacco research can advance quickly.

Effects of a Reduced Risk Claim on Adolescents' Smokeless Tobacco Perceptions and Willingness to Use.

PURPOSE: United States Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC submitted a modified risk tobacco product application to the US Food and Drug Administration, proposing a claim that switching to Copenhagen snuff fine cut from cigarettes reduces lung cancer risk. This claim could affect adolescents' smokeless tobacco perceptions and its use. METHODS: Students (N = 592; mean age: 15.3 years; 46% male; 32% nonHispanic White; 8% smokeless tobacco ever-users) at seven California high schools were randomized within a survey to view a Copenhagen snuff image, either with or without the proposed reduced risk claim. Participants were then asked about the harm of smokeless tobacco and their willingness to try Copenhagen snuff if a friend offered. Postimage harm rating and willingness were compared between image groups overall, stratified by past 30-day tobacco use (87% of tobacco users were e-cigarette users), and adjusted for participant characteristics using multivariable regression. RESULTS: Participants who viewed the claim were less likely to perceive smokeless tobacco to cause "a lot" of harm (56% vs. 64%; p = .03), including after statistical adjustment (risk ratio [RR]: 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75, 0.94), and with a numerically stronger effect among tobacco users (RR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.86). The claim did not increase willingness overall (17% vs. 20%; p = .41) but did increase willingness among tobacco users (RR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.67). DISCUSSION: Brief exposure to a reduced-risk claim decreased adolescents' smokeless tobacco harm perceptions and increased willingness to try among tobacco users. The Food and Drug Administration order permitting this claim could increase some adolescents' susceptibility to smokeless tobacco, particularly those already using other tobacco products like e-cigarettes.

Flavored Tobacco and Nicotine Use Among California Adolescents: Preferences by Use Experience and Survey Format Effects.

PURPOSE: This study assessed flavored tobacco use among adolescent e-cigarette, cigarette, cigar, hookah, and smokeless tobacco users; specific e-cigarette flavor preferences; risk profiles of youth that use various flavors; and the impact of survey question wording on prevalence. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 4,956 California adolescent participants (aged 12-17 years) in the Teens, Nicotine, and Tobacco 2021-2022 online panel survey estimated the survey-weighted prevalence of flavored tobacco use. An embedded randomized experiment assessed survey wording effects (i.e., any vs. "usual" flavor use). Qualitative data from four contemporaneous cycles of Teens, Nicotine, and Tobacco focus groups with California adolescents (N = 63) added themes relevant to the quantitative findings. RESULTS: 88.1% of current any tobacco users reported flavored tobacco use in the past 30 days. Flavor use was lowest for cigarettes (66.7%) and highest for hookah (92.8%). Fruit was the most popular e-cigarette flavor (51.6% any use; 28.8% usual use). E-cigarette users also commonly reported use of candy and cooling flavors. Sweet flavors were used most often among adolescents otherwise at low risk of tobacco use. Survey item format did not meaningfully affect overall prevalence of flavored product use but did impact reports of specific e-cigarette flavors. Focus group participants described sweet and fruity flavors as a motivating factor in their own e-cigarette use and as designed to appeal to children. DISCUSSION: Despite local policies, flavored tobacco use remains common among California adolescents. Survey items asking about any flavor use rather than usual use provide more information without affecting the overall prevalence of flavored tobacco use.

Flavors increase adolescents' willingness to try nicotine and cannabis vape products.

BACKGROUND: Certain product characteristics, such as flavor, may increase adolescents' willingness to try vaped nicotine and cannabis (marijuana) products. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment embedded within the 2021-2022 California Teens Nicotine and Tobacco Project Online Survey was administered to a non-probability sample of N = 2342 adolescents ages 12-17. Participants were sequentially presented four randomly-generated pairs of hypothetical vape products that varied in device type (disposable, refillable), content (nicotine, marijuana, "just vapor"), and flavor (seven options) and asked which of these (or neither) they would be more willing to try if a best friend offered. Conditional logistic regression quantified associations between product characteristics and participants' selections, including interactions by past 30-day use of e-cigarettes, marijuana, or both. RESULTS: Candy/dessert, fruit, and fruit-ice combination flavors were all associated with greater willingness to try a vape product (versus tobacco flavor) among participants not using e-cigarettes or marijuana, those using only e-cigarettes, and those co-using e-cigarettes and marijuana. Among participants only using marijuana, the most preferred flavors were no flavor, candy/dessert, and icy/frost/menthol. Among participants not using e-cigarettes or marijuana, model-predicted willingness to try a displayed vape product was greater when products were sweet or fruit flavored than tobacco or unflavored, regardless of whether displayed options contained nicotine (fruit/sweet: 21 %, tobacco/unflavored: 4 %), marijuana (fruit/sweet: 18 %, tobacco/unflavored: 6 %), or "just vapor" (fruit/sweet: 29 %, tobacco/unflavored: 16 %). CONCLUSIONS: In this online non-probability sample, flavors in nicotine and cannabis vape products increased adolescents' willingness to try them. Comprehensive bans on flavored vapes would likely reduce adolescent use.

Primary Dentition Caries Patterns as Predictors of Permanent Dentition Caries: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The aims of this study were to estimate the risk of caries in the permanent teeth at 12 years of age and to describe the diagnostic accuracy of caries patterns in the primary dentition at age 4 years to predict caries at age 12 years. A prospective cohort study followed children from birth to age 12 years in the city of São Leopoldo, Brazil. Sociodemographic variables were collected at birth, and dental caries was measured at 4 and 12 years of age (n = 204). At 4 years, children were classified according to the presence of caries (cavitated and non-cavitated lesions), number of lesions, affected segment (anterior or posterior), and affected surface (occlusal, smooth, or proximal). Prediction of permanent dentition caries occurrence (DMFT ≥1) (primary outcome) involved Poisson regression with robust variance and standard diagnostic accuracy measures. The prevalences of caries at age 4 years (including non-cavitated lesions) and 12 years were 61.8% and 42.2%, respectively. All caries patterns in the primary dentition were associated with caries in the permanent dentition. In multivariable analysis, the strongest associations were carious lesions on the primary posterior teeth (RR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5-3.2) and occlusal surfaces (RR 2.1; 95% CI 1.4-3.0). Among patterns evaluated, the presence of any tooth with caries (cavitated or non-cavitated) had the highest sensitivity (73%), but any tooth with cavitated decay had the highest accuracy (67%). In conclusion, any dental caries experience in early childhood is strongly predictive of dental caries experience in early adolescence. Primary dentition carious lesions on the posterior teeth or occlusal surfaces and the presence of cavitated lesions were stronger predictors.

Cannabis use among adolescents and emerging adults who use e-cigarettes: Findings from an online, national U.S. Sample.

Concurrent use of e-cigarettes and cannabis among adolescents and emerging adults is a growing public health concern. More research is needed describing cannabis use among adolescents and emerging adults who vape. The objective of this study was to characterize cannabis use among adolescents and emerging adults (age 14-20) who reported e-cigarette ever-use, particularly their use of blunts and liquid cannabis vape (LCV) products. Using cross-sectional data from a national online survey, we describe their patterns of cannabis use, detail their use of flavored cannabis and tobacco products, and estimate associations of demographic factors and other current substance use behaviors with levels of blunt and LCV use. Of the 2253 respondents in the sample, 1379 (61 %) reported some form of cannabis use in the past 30 days, among whom 80 % used flavored cannabis (including edibles). Significant associations with current cannabis use were observed on several demographic measures, with current cannabis blunt use more frequent among participants not in school, non-Hispanic Blacks, multiracial respondents, and those whose incomes do not meet their expenses. Other than income, demographic characteristics were generally not associated with LCV use frequency. Use of other substances was associated with more frequent use of both blunts and LCV in the past 30 days, and enrollment in college or the military seems somewhat protective for emerging adults. These findings suggest a need for tailored prevention efforts among high-risk adolescents and emerging adults, potential regulation of added flavors in commercialized cannabis products, and stronger enforcement of retail restrictions for individuals under age 21 more broadly.

Use of Emerging and Conventional Oral Tobacco Among Adolescent and Young Adult E-Cigarette Users.

Background: National surveillance assessing use of novel oral tobacco products (OTPs; nicotine pouches, lozenges, and gums not approved for tobacco cessation) among adolescents and young adults is limited. Objectives: To assess OTP behaviors in a sample of adolescent and young adult e-cigarette users, including use prevalence, dual/poly use with other products, and associated demographics. Methods: A national (United States) cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to April 2021 among 2253 participants (ages 14-20; 65% female) who ever used e-cigarettes ≥3 times. Demographics, lifetime use, and past 30-day use of 10 tobacco and cannabis products, including novel and conventional (chew, moist snuff, or snus) OTPs was assessed. Analysis was descriptive, examining use prevalence (lifetime and past 30-day) of each product, including by demographics and other product use. Results: Nearly 44% reported ever using any OTP, with nicotine pouches being the most commonly ever used (29%) and used in the past month (11%). Novel OTP use was more common among older participants (18-20 years), male participants, and past 30-day users of e-cigarettes, combustible tobacco, and conventional oral tobacco. However, female participants and combustible tobacco non-users were over twice and 4-times as likely, respectively, to use novel OTPs than conventional OTPs. Nearly 73% of past 30-day conventional OTP users were past 30-day novel OTP users. Conclusion: Novel OTP use was prevalent among adolescent and young adult e-cigarette users. Compared to conventional OTPs, novel OTPs likely have greater appeal to females and combustible tobacco non-users. Action to restrict access and reduce interest in OTPs is needed to prevent use among this population.

Effect of a hypothetical modified risk tobacco product claim on heated tobacco product use intention and perceptions in young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) claims for heated tobacco products (HTPs) that convey reduced exposure compared with conventional cigarettes may promote product initiation and transition among young people. We assessed the effects of a hypothetical MRTP claim for HTPs on young adults' intention and perceptions of using HTPs and whether these effects differed by their current cigarette and e-cigarette use. METHODS: We embedded a randomised between-subjects experiment into a web-based survey administered among a cohort of 2354 Southern California young adults (aged 20-23) in 2020. Participants viewed depictions of HTPs with an MRTP claim (n=1190) or no claim (n=1164). HTP use intention and HTP-related harm and use perceptions relative to cigarettes and e-cigarettes were assessed. RESULTS: Overall, participants who viewed versus did not view the claim did not differ in HTP use intention (28.5% vs 28.7%) but were more likely to perceive HTPs as less harmful than cigarettes (11.4% vs 7.0%; p<0.001). The experimental effect on HTP use intention did not differ among past 30-day cigarette smokers versus non-smokers (interaction adjusted OR (AOR)=0.78, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.76) but differed among past 30-day e-cigarette users versus non-users (interaction AOR=1.67, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.68). DISCUSSION: The hypothetical MRTP claim may lower young adults' HTP harm perceptions compared with cigarettes but may not change HTP use intention overall or differentially for cigarette smokers. The larger effect on HTP use intention among e-cigarette users than non-users raises the question of whether MRTP claims may promote HTP use or HTP and e-cigarette dual use among young e-cigarette users.

E-cigarette, cannabis and combustible tobacco use: associations with xerostomia among California adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Xerostomia (subjective experience of dry mouth), while less common in younger populations, can contribute to caries and oral discomfort. Use of e-cigarettes and cannabis among adolescents is increasing and may be a xerostomia risk factor. This study evaluates xerostomia prevalence in an adolescent population, overall and by e-cigarette, cannabis and combustible tobacco use. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses of 12-month follow-up data (N=976; collected 2020-2021) from a cohort of adolescents recruited from public high schools in Northern California (USA) compared self-reported past 30-day e-cigarette, cannabis and other tobacco use and dry mouth (overall dry mouth experience; shortened xerostomia inventory, SXI). Dry mouth experience (never, occasionally, frequently/always) was modelled using ordered logistic regression with school-level clustering and adjustment for gender, race/ethnicity, alcohol use, asthma, physical activity and mutually for e-cigarette, cannabis and tobacco use. RESULTS: Past 30-day use prevalence was 12% for e-cigarettes, 16% for cannabis and 3% for combustible tobacco. Occasional dry mouth experience (54%) was more common than frequent/always experience (5%). Frequent/always dry mouth was more prevalent among frequent (>5 days/month) e-cigarette (14%) and cannabis (19%) users and combustible tobacco users (19%) than non-users of those respective products (all comparisons p < 0.001). In covariable-adjusted models, frequent e-cigarette use was no longer significantly associated with dry mouth experience (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 0.69, 2.84), while frequent cannabis use (OR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.47, 6.82) and combustible tobacco use (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.38, 2.68) were associated with greater odds of reporting more frequent dry mouth. Findings were qualitatively similar using the SXI. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, xerostomia was not independently associated with e-cigarette use but was one potential health concern of adolescent cannabis and combustible tobacco use.

Tobacco Use and Incidence of Adverse Oral Health Outcomes Among US Adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

Importance: Evolving tobacco use patterns, including increasing electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, warrant re-examination of the associations between tobacco use and oral health. Objective: To examine associations between tobacco product use and incidence of adverse oral health outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used nationally representative data from wave (W) 1 to W5 (2013-2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Recruitment used a stratified address-based, area-probability household sample of the noninstitutionalized US civilian population. The W1 cohort included respondents aged 18 years and older without lifetime history of oral health outcomes at W1 or W3, depending on when the outcome was first assessed. Data analysis was performed from October 2021 to September 2022. Exposures: Current (every day or someday use) established (lifetime use of at least 100 cigarettes or "fairly regular" use of other products) use of cigarettes, ENDS, cigars, pipes, hookah, snus, and smokeless tobacco, excluding snus at W1 to W4. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were past 12-month self-reported diagnosis of gum disease and precancerous oral lesions (W2-W5) and bone loss around teeth, bleeding after brushing or flossing, loose teeth, and 1 or more teeth removed (W4-W5). Results: Sample sizes varied across the 6 oral health outcomes (13 149 respondents for the gum disease sample, 14 993 respondents for the precancerous oral lesions sample, 16 312 respondents for the bone loss around teeth sample, 10 286 respondents for the bleeding after brushing or flossing sample, 15 686 respondents for the loose teeth sample, and 12 061 respondents for the 1 or more teeth removed sample). Slightly more than half of adults (52%-54% across the 6 samples) were women, and the majority were of non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity. Cox proportional hazards models were developed with covariates that included time-dependent tobacco use variables mutually adjusted for each other. Cigarette smoking was positively associated with incidence of gum disease diagnosis (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.11-1.60), loose teeth (AHR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05-1.75), and 1 or more teeth removed (AHR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.18-1.74). Cigar smoking was positively associated with incidence of precancerous oral lesions (AHR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.38-3.43). In addition, hookah smoking was positively associated with incidence of gum disease diagnosis (AHR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.20-2.63), and ENDS use was positively associated with incidence of bleeding after brushing or flossing (AHR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.54). No associations were observed between snus and smokeless tobacco excluding snus and incidence of oral health outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: The observed associations of combustible tobacco use with incidence of several adverse oral health outcomes and ENDS use with incidence of bleeding after brushing or flossing highlight the importance of longitudinal studies and emphasize the continued importance of tobacco cessation counseling and resources in clinical practice.

Pattern of caries lesions and oral health-related quality of life throughout early childhood: A birth cohort study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different patterns of dental caries on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) throughout early childhood. This birth cohort study followed 277 children from southern Brazil for 6 years. Demographic and socioeconomic variables were collected at birth. At age 3 years, children's dental caries experience was quantified by the decayed, missing, or filled teeth (dmft) index. At age 6 years, parents answered the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Poisson regression models were used to estimate associations between caries experience and later OHRQoL, presented as the ratio of ECOHIS scores between the groups. The prevalence of dental caries at 3 years of age was 37.5%. In children with caries, lesions only in anterior teeth, only in posterior teeth, and in both dental segments at age 3 were associated with age 6 ECOHIS scores that were 2.7, 7.8, and 6.2 times higher, respectively, than in children without dental caries experience. OHRQoL was worse among children with higher dmft scores. Dental caries lesions in posterior teeth by age 3 years was strongly predictive of adverse impacts on later OHRQoL, presumably as an indicator of continued disease experience in the intervening years.

Preferences, use, and perceived access to flavored e-cigarettes among United States adolescents and young adults.

Background: Citing concern over youth use, the Food and Drug Administration announced a prioritized enforcement policy against cartridge-based (reusable pod) e-cigarettes in non-menthol, non-tobacco flavors, effective February 2020. Data are needed regarding youth e-cigarette access and use behaviors following this policy. Methods: This cross-sectional national (USA) online panel survey, conducted March/April 2021, included 2253 participants ages 14-20 who ever used e-cigarettes ≥3 times (73% past 30-day users). Participants reported their flavor preferences, use reasons, and perceived ease of access. Latent class analysis categorized participants according to their preferred e-cigarette flavors, and multinominal logistic regression identified sociodemographic and behavioral correlates of class membership. Results: Most past 30-day e-cigarette users used reusable pod (77%) or modern disposable (68%) devices, ≥1 non-tobacco (92%), sweet (76%), and/or menthol flavors including fruit-ice (70%) (flavor and device categories not mutually exclusive). Most past 30-day users (70%) and non-users (63%) perceived it would be somewhat or very easy to acquire e-cigarettes in flavors they like. Latent class analysis identified four e-cigarette flavor preference classes: mint (34% of sample), no preference (29%), fruit/sweet (28%), and dislikes ≥1 flavor (10%). Relative to no preference, membership in fruit/sweet (RRR: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.57) and mint (RRR: 3.85; 95% CI: 2.77, 5.36) classes was associated with using e-cigarettes ≥50 times. Fruit/sweet membership was inversely associated with combustible tobacco use (RRR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.66). Conclusion: Young e-cigarette users maintained ample access to flavored and cartridge-based products. Stronger access restrictions and enforcement are required to reduce youth e-cigarette use.

Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among Young Adults by Race and Ethnicity: Evidence From the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

PURPOSE: Describe racial/ethnic patterns of flavored tobacco use to illuminate equity implications of flavored tobacco policies. METHODS: Using data on US young adults (ages 18-34; n = 8,114) in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Wave 5 (2018-2019) and survey-weighted logistic regression, we estimated any flavors (regular brand) and mint/menthol (vs. other flavors) use by race/ethnicity among cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, blunt, hookah, smokeless tobacco, and any tobacco product users. RESULTS: Any flavored tobacco use was common and was significantly higher for Black (75.1%; OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2, 1.7) and Hispanic/Latinx (77.2%; OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7) users than White users (73.5%). The most pronounced difference across products was in menthol cigarette use between Black and White smokers (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 3.5, 5.9). Among flavored product users, mint/menthol use was significantly higher for Latinx blunt and hookah users. DISCUSSION: Racial/ethnic disparities in flavored tobacco use include and extend beyond menthol cigarettes. Comprehensive flavored tobacco restrictions that include mint/menthol and non-cigarette products will likely have more equitable impact.

Differences in Young Adults' Perceptions of and Willingness to Use Nicotine Pouches by Tobacco Use Status.

Oral nicotine pouches may appeal to young adult current nicotine/tobacco users interested in alternative forms of nicotine that lack pulmonary exposure, but may also appeal to young adult non-users of nicotine/tobacco products. We used data from a 2020 remote digital survey of an ongoing cohort study of young adults from Southern California (aged 19-23) to examine differences in pouch perceptions and use willingness across nicotine/tobacco use statuses. Participants who had never used nicotine pouches (N = 1167) viewed text/imagery from mass-marketed pouch packaging and advertising, then completed measures of willingness to use nicotine pouches, pouch harm perceptions, and hypothetical choice of cigarettes or e-cigarettes over pouches. Willingness to use pouches was significantly higher among non-combustible only (33.8%), combustible only (29.3%), and dual (43.9%) users than non-users (14.7%). Overall, 49.1% of participants were uncertain whether pouches were less harmful than cigarettes and 52.4% were uncertain whether pouches were less harmful than e-cigarettes. Relative harm perceptions did not significantly differ by tobacco use status. Those using non-combustible products (either alone or as part of dual use with combustible tobacco) had greater odds than non-users of reporting that they would use e-cigarettes over nicotine pouches. By contrast, all tobacco product user groups reported greater odds than non-users that they would use cigarettes over pouches. In sum, a sizable minority of young adults might be willing to try using nicotine pouches, but most are uncertain about the relative harm of pouches.