Negative health symptoms reported by youth e-cigarette users: Results from a national survey of US youth

Addict Behav. 2020 May:104:106315. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106315. Epub 2020 Jan 13.

Abstract

Background: E-cigarettes are the most prevalent tobacco product among US youth, but little is known about the health symptoms users experience.

Methods: Between August 2016 and May 2017, we conducted a nationally representative cross-sectional telephone survey of 975 US youth ages 13-17. Respondents who reported ever trying e-cigarettes were asked whether they ever experienced six physical health symptoms they thought were caused by e-cigarette use. We examined whether symptoms varied by demographics and tobacco use.

Results: Approximately 12.4% of respondents (n = 141) reported ever trying e-cigarettes. Of lifetime e-cigarette users, 37.0% reported past 30-day e-cigarette use, 17.2% reported past 30-day cigarette use, and 23.7% reported past 30-day use of another tobacco product. Most (63.3%) reported a symptom, most often cough (42.3%), followed by dizziness or lightheadedness (31.5%), headache or migraine (25.4%), dry or irritated mouth or throat (14.9%), shortness of breath (13.7%), change in or loss of taste (3.5%), and other (5.7%; nausea, dry eyes, earache, and tight chest). Headaches were more common among past 30-day e-cigarette users than non-users (43.8% vs. 14.6%). Shortness of breath was more common among past 30-day cigarette (33.8% vs. 9.5%) and other tobacco users (31.6% vs. 8.2%). Past 30-day cigarette users were also more likely to report any symptom (86.0% vs. 58.6%).

Conclusions: Most youth e-cigarette users attribute health symptoms to their e-cigarette use. Past 30-day users were more likely to report certain symptoms than non-users. Findings can educate health practitioners and school nurses about common symptoms youth may experience and inform prevention messages.

Keywords: Electronic cigarette; Health symptoms; Youth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cough / etiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dizziness / etiology
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Self Report
  • United States
  • Vaping / adverse effects*