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Objectives: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of dual users of cigarettes and waterpipes by comparing them with individuals who use either product exclusively. Participants: Cross-sections of undergraduate students at a public university recruited each spring semester from 2006 to 2011 (total N = 2,998). Methods: Participants completed an Internet survey that assessed demographics, tobacco use, perceptions, and norms concerning various tobacco products. Individuals who reported exclusive cigarette, exclusive waterpipe, and dual (waterpipe + cigarette) use were examined. Results: Across years, 22% reported exclusive cigarette, 6.1% exclusive waterpipe, and 9.3% dual cigarette and waterpipe use. Dual users differed in demographics and social influences from their exclusive counterparts. Conclusions: Findings suggest that dual waterpipe and cigarette use was more prevalent than exclusive waterpipe use, and dual users may differ from individuals who use either product alone. These results warrant the inclusion of waterpipe-specific content in state and national surveys as well as tobacco prevention and intervention efforts. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Objective: To compare patterns of water pipe and cigarette smoking in an eastern Mediterranean country. Methods: In 2008, 1781 out of 1877 seventh graders enrolled in 19 randomly selected schools in Irbid, Jordan, were surveyed. Results: Experimentation with and current water pipe smoking were more prevalent than cigarette smoking (boys: 38.7% vs 26.8%; 20.2% vs 9.0%, girls: 21.2% vs 9.5%; and 7.5% vs 2.3%, P less than 0.05 for all). Parent- and peer-smoking correlated more strongly with water pipe than with cigarette smoking. Conclusion: Water-pipe smoking is more prevalent than cigarette smoking at this early age.

Background: In total, 3.2% of American adults report using e-cigarettes every day or some days. The Vaping and Patterns of E-cigarette Use Research (VAPER) Study is a web-based longitudinal survey designed to observe patterns in device and liquid use that suggest the benefits and unintended consequences of potential e-cigarette regulations. The heterogeneity of the e-cigarette devices and liquids on the market, the customizability of the devices and liquids, and the lack of standardized reporting requirements result in unique measurement challenges. Furthermore, bots and survey takers who submit falsified responses are threats to data integrity that require mitigation strategies. Objective: This paper aims to describe the protocols for 3 waves of the VAPER Study and discuss recruitment and data processing experiences and lessons learned, including the benefits and limitations of bot- and fraudulent survey taker-related strategies. Methods: American adults (aged ≥21 years) who use e-cigarettes ≥5 days per week are recruited from up to 404 Craigslist catchment areas covering all 50 states. The questionnaire measures and skip logic are designed to accommodate marketplace heterogeneity and user customization (eg, different skip logic pathways for different device types and customizations). To reduce reliance on self-report data, we also require participants to submit a photo of their device. All data are collected using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University). Incentives are US $10 Amazon gift codes delivered by mail to new participants and electronically to returning participants. Those lost to follow-up are replaced. Several strategies are applied to maximize the odds that participants who receive incentives are not bots and are likely to possess an e-cigarette (eg, required identity check and photo of a device). Results: In total, 3 waves of data were collected between 2020 and 2021 (wave 1: n=1209; wave 2: n=1218; wave 3: n=1254). Retention from waves 1 to 2 was 51.94% (628/1209), and 37.55% (454/1209) of the wave 1 sample completed all 3 waves. These data were mostly generalizable to daily e-cigarette users in the United States, and poststratification weights were generated for future analyses. Our data offer a detailed examination of users' device features and specifications, liquid characteristics, and key behaviors, which can provide more insights into the benefits and unintended consequences of potential regulations. Conclusions: Relative to existing e-cigarette cohort studies, this study methodology has some advantages, including efficient recruitment of a lower-prevalence population and collection of detailed data relevant to tobacco regulatory science (eg, device wattage). The web-based nature of the study requires several bot- and fraudulent survey taker-related risk-mitigation strategies, which can be time-intensive. When these risks are addressed, web-based cohort studies can be successful. We will continue to explore methods for maximizing recruitment efficiency, data quality, and participant retention in subsequent waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the potential use of electronic nicotine-delivery systems, or e-cigarettes, for smoking cessation, as suggested by the trial conducted by Auer et al. and discussed in the editorial by Rigotti. However, there are concerns that this approach might perpetuate nicotine addiction, as evidenced by observations in the trial.