The prevalence, correlates and reasons for using electronic cigarettes among New Zealand adults.
BACKGROUND
There is strong interest in the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) globally. This paper is the first to report population-based data on ever-use and current use of e-cigarettes among New Zealand adults. The paper also extends previous international studies by exploring the reasons for trying e-cigarettes, ever users' recall of brand(s) they have ever tried, and current users' recall of their current brand.


METHODS
The Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) is a biennial face-to-face in-house survey of New Zealand adults aged 15 years or over. In 2014, 2594 participants completed the survey.


RESULTS
Ever-use and current use of e-cigarettes were 13.1% and 0.8% respectively. Tobacco smoking status predicted the use of e-cigarettes, with current smokers reporting the highest rate of use (50% ever-use and 4% current use). Among current smokers who had tried an e-cigarette, curiosity (49%) and desire to quit smoking (37%) were the most common reasons for trying. About half of the ever-users could not name any of the brand(s) they had ever tried, and one-fifth of current users could not name their current brand.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with other countries, New Zealand has a high rate of ever-use. Among current smokers, one in two had tried an e-cigarette. However, progression to regular use appears to be rare. The finding that 18% of current e-cigarette users could not name their current brand highlights the importance of investigating users' knowledge of e-cigarettes in general and assessing the factors that influence brand choice such as advertising, price, and accessibility.
Health Promotion Agency, P.O. Box 2142, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. Electronic address: j.li@hpa.org.nz.
Judy
J
Li
Health Promotion Agency, P.O. Box 2142, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. Electronic address: r.newcombe@hpa.org.nz.
Rhiannon
R
Newcombe
Health Promotion Agency, P.O. Box 2142, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand. Electronic address: d.walton@hpa.org.nz.
Darren
D
Walton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
Cessation; E-cigarettes; ENDS; Electronic cigarettes; Nicotine; Smoking