Patterns of electronic cigarette and heated tobacco product use among adults in Lithuania
5 affiliations
- 1Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- 2Lithuanian Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition, Vilnius, Lithuania
- 3Mental Health Initiative, Vilnius, Lithuania
- 4Department of Health Management, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- 5Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
Abstract
Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) is increasing globally. The pattern of dual and poly-use raises concerns about compounding hazards. However, in Lithuania, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation of use patterns.
Objective: To characterise the use of e-cigarettes and/or HTPs, patterns and characteristics associated with their use among 18–64-year-olds who have used these products at least once in the past 12 months.
Methods: In 2022, we carried out a cross-sectional study in Lithuania using the CATI (Computer-assisted telephone interviewing) method. A total of 1009 respondents were interviewed. We explored data on e-cigarettes and HTPs use, frequency and intensity, quit attempts, preference towards nicotine and flavours, subjective considerations for initiation and changes in smoking habits.
Results: Of the 1009 respondents, 69.5% were dual or poly users, and 63.5% continued to smoke conventional cigarettes alongside e-cigarettes or HTPs. Among 18–24-year-olds, a higher proportion than in older age groups reported e-cigarettes as their first tobacco product ever used (28.1%, p < 0.05). The most frequently reported reasons for use were social influence, product appeal, and flavours, whereas a wish to quit conventional cigarettes was reported by only about one in five users. Around 40% of users reported no reduction in conventional cigarette use after adopting these products.
Conclusions: In this sample, adult e-cigarette and HTP users tended to supplement rather than replace conventional cigarette smoking, and these products were used more often for experimentation and social reasons than for cessation. These findings highlight the need for regular monitoring, clearer communication about risks, improved cessation support, and data-informed tobacco control policies.
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BibTeX
@article{trisauskė2026patterns,
title = {{Patterns of electronic cigarette and heated tobacco product use among adults in Lithuania}},
author = {Justina Trišauskė and Nijolė Goštautaitė Midttun and Vaida Liutkutė-Gumarov and Laura Miščikienė and Mindaugas Štelemėkas and Janina Petkevičienė},
journal = {BMC Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-28961-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-28961-2},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Patterns of electronic cigarette and heated tobacco product use among adults in Lithuania
AU - Justina Trišauskė
AU - Nijolė Goštautaitė Midttun
AU - Vaida Liutkutė-Gumarov
AU - Laura Miščikienė
AU - Mindaugas Štelemėkas
AU - Janina Petkevičienė
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/11
JO - BMC Public Health
DO - 10.1186/s12889-026-28961-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-28961-2
AB - Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) is increasing globally. The pattern of dual and poly-use raises concerns about compounding hazards. However, in Lithuania, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation of use patterns. Objective: To characterise the use of e-cigarettes and/or HTPs, patterns and characteristics associated with their use among 18–64-year-olds who have used these products at least once in the past 12 months. Methods: In 2022, we carried out a cross-sectional study in Lithuania using the CATI (Computer-assisted telephone interviewing) method. A total of 1009 respondents were interviewed. We explored data on e-cigarettes and HTPs use, frequency and intensity, quit attempts, preference towards nicotine and flavours, subjective considerations for initiation and changes in smoking habits. Results: Of the 1009 respondents, 69.5% were dual or poly users, and 63.5% continued to smoke conventional cigarettes alongside e-cigarettes or HTPs. Among 18–24-year-olds, a higher proportion than in older age groups reported e-cigarettes as their first tobacco product ever used (28.1%, p < 0.05). The most frequently reported reasons for use were social influence, product appeal, and flavours, whereas a wish to quit conventional cigarettes was reported by only about one in five users. Around 40% of users reported no reduction in conventional cigarette use after adopting these products. Conclusions: In this sample, adult e-cigarette and HTP users tended to supplement rather than replace conventional cigarette smoking, and these products were used more often for experimentation and social reasons than for cessation. These findings highlight the need for regular monitoring, clearer communication about risks, improved cessation support, and data-informed tobacco control policies.
SN - 1471-2458
ER -