title: Smoke and Vapor: Exploring the Terminology Landscape among Electronic Cigarette Users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We explored the terminology of adult e-cigarette users in describing e-cigarette products and their use. We report how users discuss and differentiate these products and the language and culture surrounding them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups (N = 12) were held in 5 locations in the United States between March and May, 2014. Participants (N = 99) included young adults or adults who were either exclusive or nonexclusive e-cigarette users. We gathered data on how users identify various types of e-cigarettes and how users understand and describe specific terms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants were familiar with the attributes of e-cigarettes in general but confused by the variety of products and unable to describe differences between product types. They were familiar with the term "vaping" even when they used "smoking" more frequently, and were clear that e-cigarettes do not produce traditional cigarette smoke. They had varied opinions about what to call regular users of e-cigarettes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings highlight that conceptual clarity, including using specific and familiar terminology and product descriptions for users and nonusers alike, is challenging and crucial. It is important that surveillance efforts, policy development, messaging, and future research reflect the language understood and used by consumers to enable widespread comprehension.
authors.affiliation: Research Scientist, Center for Communication Science, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC.
authors.forename: Jennifer P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: Office of Science, Center for Tobacco Products, US Food and Drug Administration.
authors.forename: Blair N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.affiliation: Office of Science, Center for Tobacco Products, US Food and Drug Administration.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Office of Science, Center for Tobacco Products, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD.
authors.forename: Greta K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Tessman
authors.affiliation: Office of Science, Center for Tobacco Products, US Food and Drug Administration.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tworek
authors.affiliation: Primary Prevention Research and Evaluation Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC.
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dickinson
keywords: e-cigarettes; electronic cigarettes; qualitative research; terminology