Factors Associated With Electronic Cigarette Users' Device Preferences and Transition From First Generation to Advanced Generation Devices.
BACKGROUND
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are becoming increasingly popular but little is known about how e-cig users' transition between the different device types and what device characteristics and preferences may influence the transition.


METHODS
Four thousand four hundred twenty-one experienced e-cig users completed an online survey about their e-cig use, devices, and preferences. Participants included in analysis were ever cigarette smokers who used an e-cig at least 30 days in their lifetime and who reported the type of their first and current e-cig device and the nicotine concentration of their liquid. Analyses focused on transitions between "first generation" devices (same size as a cigarette with no button) and "advanced generation" devices (larger than a cigarette with a manual button) and differences between current users of each device type.


RESULTS
Most e-cig users (n = 2603, 58.9%) began use with a first generation device, and of these users, 63.7% subsequently transitioned to current use of an advanced generation device. Among users who began use with an advanced generation device (n = 1818, 41.1%), only 5.7% transitioned to a first generation device. Seventy-seven percent of current advanced generation e-cig users switched to their current device in order to obtain a "more satisfying hit." Battery capabilities and liquid flavor choices also influenced device choice.


CONCLUSIONS
E-cig users commonly begin use with a device shaped like a cigarette and transition to a larger device with a more powerful battery, a button for manual activation and a wider choice of liquid flavors.
Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA; jyingst@phs.psu.edu.
Jessica M
JM
Yingst
Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA;
Susan
S
Veldheer
Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA;
Shari
S
Hrabovsky
Department of Psychology, Penn State University, State College, PA.
Travis T
TT
Nichols
Department of Psychology, Penn State University, State College, PA.
Stephen J
SJ
Wilson
Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA;
Jonathan
J
Foulds
D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation
D009538:Nicotine