Nicotine Pouches as a Quit Strategy for Nicotine Vaping: Evidence from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Waves 7 and 7.5 (2022-2023)
Olufemi Erinoso, Robin Mermelstein, Olatokunbo OsibogunAbstract
Introduction
This study examined the one-year incidence of nicotine pouch adoption specifically for vaping cessation and its association with individual-level and social factors among YAs, and whether using nicotine pouches to quit vaping was associated with successful vaping abstinence.
Methods
Longitudinal data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study was used to analyze responses from 1175 YAs aged 18-22 who reported current nicotine vaping at baseline (Wave 7, 2022) and were followed a year later (Wave 7.5, 2023). Survey-weighted logistic regression models assessed predictors of using nicotine pouches to quit vaping and the relationship between baseline pouch use and vaping abstinence at follow-up.
Results
Among YAs who vaped in 2022, 2.3% (95% CI: 1.5, 3.5) reported adopting nicotine pouches to quit vaping in 2023. Odds of adopting pouches for vaping cessation were higher among individuals with prior current pouch use [not for quitting] (OR = 10.1, 95% CI: 2.2, 45.8), vaping within 30 minutes of waking up (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.5-11.7), social exposure to pouch users (OR=5.8, 95% CI: 1.8, 18.5), prior use of nicotine replacement therapy during a quit attempt (OR=13.6, 95% CI: 2.7-69.3) and baseline intention to switch from vaping to pouches (OR=18.2, 95% CI: 6.9-48.0). No significant association was found between baseline pouch use for quitting and past-month vaping abstinence at follow-up.
Conclusions
Findings suggest that nicotine pouches for vaping cessation are rare. Longer term studies are needed to evaluate whether pouch use facilitates sustained cessation or maintains nicotine dependence.