title: 'Vaping' profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize e-cigarette use, users and effects in a sample of Electronic Cigarette Company (TECC) and Totally Wicked E-Liquid (TWEL) users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online survey hosted at the University of East London with links from TECC/TWEL websites from September 2011 to May 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand three hundred and forty-seven respondents from 33 countries (72% European), mean age 43 years, 70% male, 96% Causasian, 44% educated to degree level or above.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-four percent of participants reported not smoking for at least a few weeks since using the e-cigarette and 70% reported reduced urge to smoke. Seventy-two percent of participants used a 'tank' system, most commonly, the eGo-C (23%). Mean duration of use was 10 months. Only 1% reported exclusive use of non-nicotine (0 mg) containing liquid. E-cigarettes were generally considered to be satisfying to use; elicit few side effects; be healthier than smoking; improve cough/breathing; and be associated with low levels of craving. Among ex-smokers, 'time to first vape' was significantly longer than 'time to first cigarette' (t1104  = 11.16, P < 0.001) suggesting a lower level of dependence to e-cigarettes. Ex-smokers reported significantly greater reduction in craving than current smokers (χ(2) 1  = 133.66, P < 0.0007) although few other differences emerged between these groups. Compared with males, females opted more for chocolate/sweet flavours (χ(2) 1  = 16.16, P < 0.001) and liked the e-cigarette because it resembles a cigarette (χ(2) 3  = 42.65, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-cigarettes are used primarily for smoking cessation, but for a longer duration than nicotine replacement therapy, and users believe them to be safer than smoking.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of East London, Water Lane, Stratford, London, UK. l.e.dawkins@uel.ac.uk
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dawkins
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Kirstie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*