Examining the Smoking and Vaping Behaviors and Preferences of Vape Shop Customers

INTRODUCTION The prevalence of vape shops has increased dramatically in recent years. Yet, few studies have examined the smoking/vaping behaviors and vaping preferences of vape shop customers and the reasons they patronize vape shops. The present study seeks to address this gap. METHODS A convenience sample of 100 vape shop customers completed a brief questionnaire assessing past and current tobacco/e-cigarette use, vaping preferences and reasons they patronize vape shops. Self-reported smoking status was confirmed via exhaled carbon monoxide measurement. RESULTS Participants reported health and the need to quit/reduce smoking as the most important reasons for initiating e-cigarette use. Approximately 62% were biochemically-verified smoking abstinent and 100% were using newer generation e-cigarette devices. A majority (91%) reported enjoying vaping more than smoking, 80% preferred non-tobacco e-cigarette flavors, though 60% reported they would still vape if the only flavor available was tobacco. Participants reported “battery life”, “tastes good”, and “curbs cravings” as the most important e-cigarette features; the least important feature was “feels/looks like traditional cigarette”. A majority reported they preferred to buy e-cigarette supplies at vapor shops because of “access to staff that can help troubleshoot e-cigarette problems” (85%), and “enjoy the atmosphere” (74%). CONCLUSIONS Vape shop customers demonstrated a high rate of smoking abstinence and reported product preferences consistent with newer generation devices. Customers valued the atmosphere and the knowledgeable staff at vape shops. These findings suggest important avenues of investigation into the effects of unique characteristics of vape shops on smoking and vaping behaviors of their patrons, not only for clinical research but also for tobacco regulation. INTRODUCTION The prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use in the Unites States continues to rise among both youth and adults . Over half of U.S. smokers have tried an e-cigarette and approximately 20% “vaped” in the past 30 days. At the same time, there has been a surge in the number of stores dedicated exclusively to the sale of e-cigarette products (i.e., vape shops), and it is estimated that over 10,000 U.S. vape shops have opened during the past decade, representing an estimated onethird of the e-cigarette market and its fastest growing sector . Examining the Smoking and Vaping Behaviors and Preferences of Vape Shop Customers Theodore Lee Wagener1, Raees A Shaikh2, Ellen Meier3, Alayna P Tackett1,4, Noor N Tahirkheli1, Eleanor L. Leavens2,4, Leslie Driskill1 AFFILIATION 1 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center, Oklahoma, USA 2 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center, Oklahoma, USA 3 University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA 4 Oklahoma State University, Department of Psychology, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA CORRESPONDENCE TO Dr. Theodore Lee Wagener, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center, 655 Research Parkway, Suite 400, 73104 Oklahoma City, United States. Email: theodore-wagener@ ouhsc.edu