112 - Perspectives from Parents on Vaping, E-Cigarette, and Non-Smoking Device Use Among Adolescents, Voices of Child Health in Illinois

Publication Number: 112.6279

Kathryn Moton-Ospino, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Marie E. Heffernan, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Ashley Keese, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Carly Menker, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Audrey G. Brewer, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States

Background: A policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics reported adolescent nicotine-containing device use (e.g., e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and other devices) remains high even though cigarette use has decreased. Parental perceptions on nicotine device use and involving parents in advocacy efforts to decrease use among adolescents is key. However, little is known regarding parental perspectives on nicotine device use, including access, education, and interventions of device use.

Objective: We aim to understand parents' perspectives regarding nicotine device use among adolescents and on education and prevention of use.

Design/Methods: This study collected data from the Voices of Child Health Parent Panel survey, a cross-sectional survey in Illinois, administered from 9/6/2024-10/7/2024 online and by phone in English or Spanish. Eligibility criteria for the present study included being a parent or guardian to at least one child aged 11 years old or older to answer nicotine device use questions. Parents self-identified their race and ethnicity, and other demographic information was collected. Proportions were weighted to be representative of Illinois parents.

Results: 35% of parents, or 634 parents, answered this portion of the survey. (21% Hispanic, 11.4% non-Hispanic Black, 57.6% non-Hispanic White, and 64% non-Hispanic Other) (Table 1). Parents (69%) believe adolescents obtain e-cigarettes and vaping products from a third party (e.g., friends, social media, family members) (Figure 1A). While many parents (60.1%) obtain education on these products through the internet and social media, around 25% of parents have not researched information of products used in youth (Figure 1B). Although most parents (83.6%) communicate to their child about e-cigarettes and vaping products (Figure 2A), only 50% of parents knew about non-smoking products such as nicotine pouches (or popular brand name Zyn) (Figure 2B). 74% of families who knew about nicotine pouches would also have clear rules of communication with families (Figure 2C). Less than half (46%) of parents would always know if their adolescent was engaging in nicotine use (Figure 2D). Most parents (85.7%) believe the pediatrician should ask children about the use of nicotine-containing products (Figure 2E).

Conclusion(s): Future advocacy efforts can increase education on nicotine device use towards adolescents and dangers of obtaining them from another individual. This study also demonstrated the need for more parental education from official medical providers/organizations/sources on nicotine-containing methods, especially new methods such as nicotine pouches.

Table 1: Sociodemographic Characteristics of Parental Knowledge Regarding Nicotine-Containing Device Use Among Adolescents


Figure 1: Parental Perspectives on Youth Nicotine-Device Purchasing and Learning About Nicotine-Device Use


Figure 2: Parental Communication and Opinion on Youth E-Cigarettes, Vaping, and Non-Vaping Device Use