Use of e-cigarettes by individuals with mental health conditions.
BACKGROUND
Individuals with mental health conditions (MHC) have disproportionately high tobacco-related morbidity and mortality due to high smoking prevalence rates. As high consumers of cigarettes, smokers with MHC may consider using e-cigarettes as an alternative form of nicotine delivery.


OBJECTIVE
Examination of the susceptibility to use e-cigarettes by individuals with MHC.


METHODS
A U.S. population survey with a national probability sample (n=10,041) was used to assess ever use and current use of regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. Survey respondents provided information about whether they had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, depression, or other MHC.


RESULTS
Individuals with MHC were more likely to have tried e-cigarettes (14.8%) and to be current users of e-cigarettes (3.1%) than those without MHC (6.6% and 1.1%, respectively; p<0.01). Ever smokers with MHC were also more likely to have tried approved pharmacotherapy (52.2% vs. 31.1%, p<0.01) and to be currently using these products (9.9% vs. 3.5%, p<0.01) than those without MHC. Additionally, current smokers with MHC were more susceptible to future use of e-cigarettes than smokers without MHC (60.5% vs. 45.3%, respectively, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Smokers with MHC are differentially affected by the rise in popularity of e-cigarettes. Clinical interventions and policies for tobacco control on e-cigarettes should take into account the possible outcomes and their implications for this priority population.
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Sharon E
SE
Cummins
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Shu-Hong
SH
Zhu
Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Gary J
GJ
Tedeschi
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Anthony C
AC
Gamst
Psychology Service, Veteran Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Mark G
MG
Myers
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D009538:Nicotine
Disparities; Electronic nicotine delivery devices; Harm Reduction; Nicotine; Priority/special populations