Assessing use of inhalable nicotine products within complex markets: the dilemma of heated tobacco products

The introduction of electronic inhalable products, such as nicotine vaping products (NVPs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs), has further diversified the nicotine market landscape. This poses unique challenges in measuring self-reported nicotine use behaviours, which have been the hallmark of tobacco surveillance systems. This paper raises concerns of potential measurement error for electronic inhalable product use in surveys due to similarities in product design between NVPs and HTPs, as well as changing trends in cannabis administration. We identify several strategies for addressing this issue (eg, including descriptive preambles in surveys that differentiate product classes from one another; incorporating survey questions that probe beyond an initial question regarding product use). In the absence of comprehensive validation studies, caution is warranted when interpreting survey results that rely on self-reported HTP use.

Automated summary

The introduction of electronic inhalable products has brought new challenges to the nicotine market, as the similar product designs may lead to measurement errors in self-reported product use. Strategies such as including descriptive preambles in surveys and probing beyond initial usage questions can be used to address this issue. Caution is advised when interpreting survey results relying on self-reported use, due to the lack of comprehensive validation studies.