Where Do E-cigarette Users Buy Their E-cigarette Products? Results from a Nationally Representative Sample of Adult E-cigarette Users in the United States

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined how e-cigarette purchasing locations are associated with tobacco use pattern and socio-demographics of e-cigarette users in the United States.

Methods: Based on a nationally representative sample of adult e-cigarette users, we assessed their purchasing locations (internet, vape shops, tobacconists, brick-and-mortar retailers, temporary sales, somewhere else including foreign country) and associations with individual demographics, frequencies of e-cigarette and cigarette use, e-cigarette product type of choice, state-level cigarette and e-cigarette taxes.

Results: In 2023, the most popular purchasing locations reported by adult e-cigarette users were: vape shops (65.5%), general purpose brick-and-mortar stores (43.4%), and internet (18.6%). Dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes was associated with higher odds (odds ratio=5.3-5.5, p < 0.05) of buying from tobacconists. Older (odds ratio=3.0-5.2, p < 0.01) and Hispanic (odds ratio=2.85, p < 0.01) adults were more likely to make online purchases. Compared to exclusive disposable users, exclusive tank system users were more likely to buy online (odds ratio=6.22, p < 0.001) or from vape shops (odds ratio=2.61, p < 0.01), and exclusive rechargeable (pod/cartridge) users were less likely to buy from vape shops (odds ratio=0.29, p < 0.001). One additional dollar tax per 1 mg of e-liquid volume was associated with higher odds of buying from somewhere else or foreign countries (odds ratio=1.88, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: E-cigarette use frequency, dual use status of e-cigarettes and cigarettes, age, race/ethnicity, and e-cigarette product type of choice are related to U.S. adults' e-cigarette purchasing locations.

Implications: U.S. adult vapers' purchasing location choices are related with their e-cigarettes and cigarette use status, which e-cigarette product type(s) they use, and their age and race/ethnicity, with older adults, Hispanic individuals, and e-liquid users more likely to purchase e-cigarettes online, and dual users of e-cigarettes and cigarettes more likely to buy from tobacconists.E-cigarette regulations should consider market segments by purchasing locations and device types, and evidence shows adult e-cigarette users who live in states with higher e-cigarette taxes may engage in tax avoidance behaviors by obtaining e-cigarette products from outside of the country.