Associations between the Frequency and Quantity of Heated Tobacco Product Use and Smoking Characteristics among Korean Smoking Adolescents.

purposeAlthough heated tobacco product (HTP) use among adolescents is an emerging public health problem, little is known about the frequency and quantity of HTP use. Thus, we investigated the associations between the frequency and quantity of HTP use and smoking characteristics (i.e., combustible cigarette [CC] and electronic cigarette [EC] use, and attempts to quit smoking) among CC-smoking adolescents.

methodsWe analyzed nationally representative data from 2,470 Korean adolescents who were current CC smokers. To investigate our aim, we conducted multinomial logistic and logistic regression analyses.

resultsWe found that daily and heavier CC users had greater likelihoods of more frequent and heavier HTP use. In addition, dual users of CCs and ECs were more likely to use HTPs more frequently and heavily than CC users who did not use ECs. Moreover, daily EC users had the highest risk of frequent and heavy HTP use. The frequency and quantity of HTP use were not associated with attempts to quit smoking. Compared to CC-only use, dual use of CCs and HTPs was not associated with quitting attempts, and triple use of CCs, ECs, and HTPs was associated with a lower likelihood of quitting attempts.

conclusionHTP use was less likely to displace CC use and promote attempts to quit smoking. Thus, strict regulations are required to prevent the promotion of HTPs as a substitute for CCs or as a means of quitting smoking. Additionally, health professionals should consider preventive interventions for HTP, as well as CC and EC use among adolescents.