State-specific prevalence of current e-cigarette use by disability status and disability type-United States, BRFSS 2016-2018

Background: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. The tobacco product landscape has diversified to include electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Adults with disabilities are more likely than adults without disabilities to smoke cigarettes, but within the current body of literature, there is limited information on the use of e-cigarettes among adults with disabilities. Objective: To assess overall and state-specific prevalence of current e-cigarette use among adults by disability status, disability type, sex, and age. Methods: Disability was defined as having serious difficulty with vision, hearing, mobility, cognition, or any difficulty with self-care or independent living. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System crosssectional survey data (2016-2018; n = 1,150,775) were used to estimate state and District of Columbia prevalence of current e-cigarette use among adults (aged >= 18 years) with and without disabilities, overall and by disability type, sex, and age group. Results: Median prevalence of current e-cigarette use was higher among adults with than without disabilities (6.5% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.05). Among adults with disabilities, use varied from 2.5% in DC to 10.0% in Colorado; median use was highest among those with cognitive disabilities (10.0%) and those aged 18-24 years (18.7%). Conclusions: Prevalence of current e-cigarette use was higher among adults with than without disabilities and varied across states by disability status, type, and age group. The findings underscore the need to monitor e-cigarette use among adults with disabilities and specifically include them in tobacco control policies and programs addressing e-cigarette use. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In the United States, the prevalence of e-cigarette use is higher among adults with disabilities than those without disabilities, and varies across states based on disability status, type, and age group. These findings underscore the need to include individuals with disabilities in tobacco control policies and programs addressing e-cigarette use.