Nicotine Pouches as a Quit Strategy for Nicotine Vaping: Evidence from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Waves 7 and 7.5 (2022-2023)

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the one-year incidence of nicotine pouch adoption specifically for vaping cessation and its association with individual-level and social factors among YAs, and whether using nicotine pouches to quit vaping was associated with successful vaping abstinence. METHODS: Longitudinal data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study was used to analyze responses from 1175 YAs aged 18-22 who reported current nicotine vaping at baseline (Wave 7, 2022) and were followed a year later (Wave 7.5, 2023). Survey-weighted logistic regression models assessed predictors of using nicotine pouches to quit vaping and the relationship between baseline pouch use and vaping abstinence at follow-up. RESULTS: Among YAs who vaped in 2022, 2.3% (95% CI: 1.5, 3.5) reported adopting nicotine pouches to quit vaping in 2023. Odds of adopting pouches for vaping cessation were higher among individuals with prior current pouch use [not for quitting] (OR = 10.1, 95% CI: 2.2, 45.8), vaping within 30 minutes of waking up (OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.5-11.7), social exposure to pouch users (OR=5.8, 95% CI: 1.8, 18.5), prior use of nicotine replacement therapy during a quit attempt (OR=13.6, 95% CI: 2.7-69.3) and baseline intention to switch from vaping to pouches (OR=18.2, 95% CI: 6.9-48.0). No significant association was found between baseline pouch use for quitting and past-month vaping abstinence at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that nicotine pouches for vaping cessation are rare. Longer term studies are needed to evaluate whether pouch use facilitates sustained cessation or maintains nicotine dependence.