title: The Prevalence of E-cigarette Use in a Sample of U.S. Air Force Recruits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing markedly in the general population. Yet, remarkably little research exists to examine these ongoing trends in at-risk populations, and nothing is known about the prevalence of e-cigarette use among military personnel. The purpose of the current study is to provide recent (2013-2014) data on the prevalence of regular e-cigarette use in a population of recruits prior to their entry into the U.S. military.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study utilized a cross-sectional assessment of e-cigarette and other tobacco and nicotine-containing product (TNCP) use in 2013-2014 among 10,043 U.S. Air Force (USAF) recruits in Technical Training. Chi-square tests, the Cochran-Armitage test for trend, and logistic regression models tested differences and trends across time for e-cigarette use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of e-cigarette use among recruits was 5.2%, which doubled (3% to 6.5%, p<0.0001) across a 1-year period. E-cigarette use was associated with increased odds of all measured TNCPs, as well as dual and poly use (all p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rates of e-cigarette use are slightly higher in young USAF recruits than in the general population, and e-cigarette users are likely to be using other TNCPs in tandem. Although additional work is needed to understand the reasons for this concomitant use, this is a necessary first step to understanding e-cigarette use prevalence in military populations. Historic trends suggest that, like general populations, e-cigarette use is on the rise for those entering the USAF and should be monitored to inform future prevention programming.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee. Electronic address: mlittl18@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Karen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Derefinko
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Colvin
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Jon O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Ebbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bursac
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Gerald W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Talcott
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Phyllis A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Richey
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Center for Population Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Klesges
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D062789:Tobacco Products; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult