Does perceived vaping addiction predict subsequent vaping cessation behaviour among adults who use nicotine vaping products regularly?

Background

This study aimed to investigate whether perceived vaping addiction is a predictor of quitting nicotine vaping product (NVP) use among adults who have ever smoked and currently vape exclusively or predominantly in four countries: Australia, Canada, the US, and England.

Method

Data analysed (n = 574) came from participants (aged 18 + ) who completed the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Smoking and Vaping survey in 2018 and again in 2020. Baseline inclusion criteria were: (1) currently not smoking or non-daily smoking; and (2) using NVPs daily/weekly for a period of at least 4 months. Association of self-reported baseline levels of perceived vaping addiction with making any attempts to quit vaping and successful attempts reported at follow-up were examined using logistic regression models, controlling for potential sociodemographic and smoking/vaping-related confounders.

Results

Participants who perceived themselves as being addicted to vaping were less likely to attempt to quit vaping than those who perceived themselves as not addicted. Among those who tried, those who perceived themselves being addicted were also less likely to succeed than those who perceived themselves as not addicted. No significant country differences in associations were observed for both outcomes.

Conclusions

Perceived vaping addiction was shown to have predictive utility for vaping cessation behaviours, possibly acting as an indicator of task difficulty, and thus may serve as a useful screening tool for identifying NVP users who may benefit from tailored cessation support programs if they want to stop using these products.