Popular Flavors Used in Alternative Tobacco Products Among Young Adults

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the article was to examine flavors of alternative tobacco products most commonly used by young adults (YAs).

Methods: California YA (N = 365; mean age = 20.0 years) were surveyed in 2018 about the first and usual flavors of alternative tobacco products used. Flavor categories were fruit, candy, menthol, mint, coffee, spice, alcohol, wintergreen, and tobacco.

Results: Fruit and mint were the most common flavors used (pod-based e-cigarettes: 35.4% and 29.3%; other e-cigarettes: 52.7% and 23.1%; hookah: 45.4% and 18.5%; cigars/cigarillos: 22.4% and 6.9%, respectively). For other e-cigarettes and hookah, candy was also popular (20.5% and 14.8%, respectively). For pod-based and other e-cigarettes, menthol was widely used (13.4% and 17.0%, respectively). Approximately half of the ever-flavor users reported they "usually" used the same flavors across products (menthol users: 52.2%; fruit users: 51.7%; mint users: 44.0%; and candy users: 43.8%).

Conclusions: YA are clearly using flavors, specifically fruit, mint, candy, and menthol, in their tobacco products.

Keywords: E-cigarettes; Electronic cigarettes; Flavors; Tobacco; Young adults.