title: Prevalence and reasons for use of electronic cigarettes among smokers: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Not much is known about how people in the Netherlands respond to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes); how many know about them, which people try them, keep using them and why, and what are changes over time regarding awareness and use?
  
  
  METHODS
  We used samples of smokers aged 15 years and older from 2008 (n=1820), 2010 (n=1702), 2013 (n=1530), and 2014 (n=1550) as part of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Netherlands Survey. Reasons for use and characteristics of smokers were examined using the sample from 2014. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between smoking-related variables with ever trying e-cigarettes and current e-cigarette use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2014, 91.4% of Dutch smokers reported being aware of e-cigarettes (97.1% in 2008, 89.2% in 2010, and 85.5% in 2013), 40.0% reported having ever tried them (13.4% in 2008, 14.5% in 2010, and 19.6% in 2013), and 15.9% were currently using them (4.0% in 2008, 1% in 2010, and 3.9% in 2013). The main reason given for using e-cigarettes was to reduce the number of regular cigarettes smoked per day (79%). Ever trying e-cigarettes among those aware of e-cigarettes was associated with being young, smoking more regular cigarettes per day, having made a quit attempt in the last year, having used smoking cessation pharmacotherapy in the last year, and reporting high awareness of the price of regular cigarettes. Smokers who kept using e-cigarettes had a higher educational background, had higher harm awareness for the health of others, and were less likely to have a total smoking ban at home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-cigarettes are increasingly used by Dutch smokers. Commonly endorsed motivations for current e-cigarette use were to reduce tobacco smoking and because e-cigarettes are considered to be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University (CAPHRI), P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Karin.Hummel@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University (CAPHRI), P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ciska
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoving
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University (CAPHRI), P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands; Alliance Smokefree Holland, Eisenhowerlaan 108, 2517 KL The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gera E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Nagelhout
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University (CAPHRI), P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, University of Amsterdam (ASCoR), Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute for Mental Health and Addiction, Da Costakade 45, 3521 VS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van den Putte
authors.affiliation: Department of Methodology and Statistics, Maastricht University (CAPHRI), P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Math J J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Candel
authors.affiliation: Research Division, The Cancer Council Victoria, 1 Rathdowne St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Borland
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University (CAPHRI), P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands; Alliance Smokefree Holland, Eisenhowerlaan 108, 2517 KL The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marc C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Willemsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Addiction; Electronic cigarettes; Netherlands; Smoking