Statewide E-Cigarette Flavor Ban Policies and E-Cigarette Use Among US Adults, 2018-2023.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To examine how statewide e-cigarette flavor bans (flavor bans) are associated with changes in e-cigarette use among US adults before and after implementation of flavor bans. <b>Methods.</b> This quasi-experimental study used data from 251 677 US adults across 2 waves-2018-2019 (preban) and 2022-2023 (postban)-from the Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. Weighted multilevel logistic regression models with an interaction between state ban status and time assessed associations between flavor bans and current e-cigarette use. Secondary analyses further examined the associations of flavor type and age group with e-cigarette use. <b>Results.</b> Prevalence of current e-cigarette use among adults increased from 2.3% (2018-2019) to 3.0% (2022-2023). The implementation of flavor bans was associated with a smaller relative increase in e-cigarette use compared with states without a ban (adjusted odds ratio for interaction = 0.86; 95% confidence interval = 0.74, 0.98). Age-group analyses indicated significant lower likelihood in e-cigarette use among adults aged 25 to 44 years after the ban. <b>Conclusions.</b> Flavor bans may help slow increases in adult e-cigarette use, with the potential for differential effects across age groups. (<i>Am J Public Health</i>. 2026;116(9): 1416-1425. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308645).