Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Electronic Nicotine Product Use Among College Students in the U.S. - Analyses of the 2017 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze, among a nationally representative sample of college students in the U.S., gender differences in the lifetime, past 12-months, and past 30-day prevalence of e-nicotine products (ENPs) use, reasons for use, and susceptibility to ENP use among never users. We analyzed data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The study population included college-aged individuals (18-24 years old) enrolled in a degree program. The results of the study revealed that males were more likely to use ENPs than females. Both males and females reported a high proportion of misconception about ENPs, particularly with regards to ENPs being less harmful to the user than cigarettes. It also indicated that 36% of male and 32% of female college students were susceptible to start using ENPs. Our results highlight the need to provide comprehensive, tobacco-prevention education among U.S. youth.