One in
seven use electronic cigarettes
Two thirds using e-cigs to quit, one quarter to one third are
successful
TORONTO December
11th, 2014 - In random
sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 2154 Canadians 18 years
of age and older, 1-in-7 had ever used an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette
(15%), and this behaviour is especially characteristic of the youngest (26%),
the least wealthy (24%), in the Atlantic provinces (21%) and Alberta (19%) and
the least educated (secondary school or less - 21%).
Most users also smoke tobacco
Among
those who use e-cigs, two thirds also smoke tobacco (64%), and this is
especially the case among the least wealthy (84%) and those in Atlantic Canada
(74%). One quarter used to smoke tobacco (27%) and one tenth have never smoked
(9%). Among those whose primary reason for use is to help quitting tobacco, a
similar proportion no longer smoke (24%), and this may be considered the
success rate for this method of smoking cessation.
"Vapers" equally like to use disposables, refillables
Relatively
equal proportions, just more than 4-in-10, "vape" disposable e-cigs
(45%) or the permanent refillable models (42%). As a refillable e-cig is
considerably more costly than a disposable, and requires more maintenance, it
is safe to say the refillable users are especially committed to vaping. Those
using e-cigs to quit are especially likely to use refillables (48%).
Majority use nicotine e-cig fluid
The
majority use nicotine fluid in their e-cigs (53%), either always (29%) or
sometimes (24%). Just less than half never use nicotine (47%). Among those
using e-cigs to quit tobacco, more are likely to say they always use nicotine
"juice" (41%) and fewer, but still a substantial minority, say they
never vape nicotine (32%). Those vapers who smoke tobacco still are more likely
than all vapers to say they use nicotine juice "always" (38%) or
"sometimes" (30%). Those who smoked in the past but do so no longer
(many of whom are successful quitters) are much more likely than all vapers to
say they never use nicotine juice (63%). Just one third are using nicotine
juice (Always - 17%, sometimes - 20%). It is interesting to note that very few
of those vapers who never smoked tobacco use nicotine now (4%), while virtually
all do not (96%), which would discount the theory that vaping is a gateway to
smoking.
Most using e-cigs to quit tobacco
When
presented with a list of reasons for using e-cigs, the plurality pick "to
help quitting tobacco" (29%), followed by those who like the flavours (16%
in total, 52% among those who have never smoked), the fact they can be vaped
where "analog" cigarettes cannot be smoked (14% in total, 18% among
those still smoking now), because they're healthier than analogs (10% in total,
14% among those who have never smoked), because they're more convenient than
analogs (6% in total, 18% among current smokers) and because of a doctor's
advice (4% in total). In total, two thirds of vapers cite quitting tobacco as
one of the reasons for vaping (62%).
7-in-10 say e-cigs are successful quitting aids
Seven-in-ten
vapers who are doing so to quit tobacco say they were successful (70%), and
well more than a third say they were very successful (37%). Among those who
used to smoke, but do so no longer, three quarters find e-cigs were very
successful at helping quit (76%). Those who still smoke are one third as likely
to say they have been very successful (24%), but this may be the quit rate for
this method of smoking cessation, and it is an impressive one, as the average
quit rate for all types of smoking cessation aids is less than 10%.
Half say outcome of attempt to quit has been successful
One
half of those vapers using e-cigs to quit tobacco have done so (48%), either
still using nicotine juice (22%) or not (26%). One half are still smoking
tobacco but have cut down the amount they use (52%). Among those who smoke now
or did so recently, one third say they are no longer doing so (35%), either
using nicotine (16%) or not (19%).
"Although penetration of
e-cigarettes is not that high now, those using them are the young, and this
behaviour is bound to become more popular. It appears, contrary to authorities'
fears, that vaping is not a gateway to tobacco smoking, and many people who
never smoked enjoy e-cigs for the flavours, not the nicotine. On the other
hand, many vapers are trying to quit smoking tobacco, and between a quarter and
a third are successful at this. So, it appears e-cigarettes don't represent the
trojan horse they are painted as, and may be a very useful smoking cessation
aid," said Forum
Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne
Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be
reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
