title: How are tobacco smokers using e-cigarettes? Patterns of use, reasons for use and places of purchase in New South Wales.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore how and why tobacco smokers and recent quitters in NSW use e-cigarettes, as well as common places of purchase.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Cancer Institute Tobacco Tracking Survey is a serial cross-sectional telephone survey, with 40 interviews in NSW each week.
  
  
  METHODS
  2966 tobacco smokers and recent quitters (in the past 12 months) interviewed January 2014 - June 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Current e-cigarette use; reasons for using; places of purchase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  9% of the sample reported currently using e-cigarettes; the rate was highest among 18-29-year-old people (16%). Infrequent use (less than weekly; 57%) was more common than frequent use (at least weekly; 43%). Frequent use was more likely among older adults (55 years and older v 18-29 years: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.43; P = 0.002) and less likely among current tobacco smokers (v recent quitters: aOR, 0.38, P = 0.020). The most common reasons for using e-cigarettes by those over 30 years of age was "to help me quit" (42%) and to "cut down" smoking (35%); for younger adults it was "because they are not as bad for your health as cigarettes" (25%). Common places of purchase were the internet (29%) and tobacconists (27%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although use of e-cigarettes by tobacco smokers in NSW remains low, some are using e-cigarettes in attempts to reduce tobacco-related harm. Physicians and public health campaigners should inform smokers about the risks associated with dual e-cigarette and tobacco use, advise interested quitters that e-cigarettes are currently unregulated as cessation aids, and continue to provide evidence-based recommendations and cessation services to smokers wanting to quit.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute NSW, Sydney, NSW sally.dunlop@cancerinstitute.org.au.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.affiliation: Department of Premier and Cabinet, NSW Government, Sydney, NSW.
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute NSW, Sydney, NSW.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dessaix
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute NSW, Sydney, NSW.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Currow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003132:Commerce; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D057566:Self Report; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult