Vaping among U.S. workers up slightly: CDC

Washington — E-cigarette use among U.S. adult workers rose slightly in recent years, results of a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.

Using data from the 2017-2018 National Health Interview Survey, researchers found that 5.3 million out of an estimated 156 million U.S. adult workers were current e-cigarette users. Between 2014 and 2016, that figure was estimated to be 5.2 million. Current users were identified as those who reported using e-cigarettes “every day” or “some days.”

E-cigarette use was highest among males, non-Hispanic whites, people between the ages of 18 and 24, and workers in the accommodation and food services industry. Around one half of the current e-cigarette users also smoked combustible tobacco products.

According to CDC, reducing tobacco-related disease and death will require various public health efforts, including full implementation of targeted, evidence-based tobacco-control interventions that address the diverse types of products available. Regulation of tobacco product manufacturing, marketing and sales also is an important objective.

Additionally, the researchers note, worker health can benefit from the integration of tobacco cessation programs.

The study was published online March 5 in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.