| Summary: | Introduction
Using nationally representative data this study examined
experimentation with and regular use of e-cigarettes among children not using
tobacco at age 11 years, followed up to age 14 years.
Material and Methods
Data come from 10 982 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study.
Logistic regression assessed experimentation with and current use of e-cigarettes by
age 14 years. We considered associations of sociodemographics at age 11 years with
subsequent e-cigarette use, including data on family income, peer and caregiver
smoking. Subsequent models were adjusted for current tobacco use to assess both
the strength of the assocations between e-cigarette use and tobacco, and whether
sociodemographics were associated with e-cigarettes independently of tobacco.
Results
Among 10 982 children who reported never smoking at age 11 years, 13.9%
(1525) had ever tried an e-cigarette by age 14 years, and of these 18.2% (278) reported
being current users. Children in lower income households were more likely to have tried
an e-cigarette than those in higher income households (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 1.89,
p=0.002). Children who reported friend (AOR 2.28, p<0.001) or caregiver smoking
(AOR 1.77, p<0.001) at age 11 years were more likely to have tried an e-cigarette by age
14 years. After adjusting for current tobacco use, there was some attenuation of these
associations, although associations of friend and caregiver smoking with e-cigarette use
remained statistically significant.
Conclusions
Children from lower income families were more likely to experiment
with e-cigarettes by age 14 years, although this was heavily mediated by concurrent
tobacco use. Caregiver and friend smoking are linked to trying e-cigarettes, although
these relationships are less clear for regular e-cigarette use.
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