Use of flavored cannabis vaping products in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand: findings from the international cannabis policy study wave 4 (2021)

ABSTRACT

Background: Vaping is an increasingly popular mode of cannabis use. Few studies have characterized the role of flavors in cannabis e-liquids.

Objectives: To explore the prevalence of flavored vaping liquids, including differences between countries and correlates of use.

Methods: Data were from Wave 4 (2021) of the International Cannabis Policy Study with national samples aged 16–65 in Canada, the United States (US), Australia, and New Zealand. The sample comprised 52,938 respondents, including 6,265 who vaped cannabis e-liquids in the past 12-months (2,858 females, 3,407 males). Logistic regression models examined differences in the use of flavored e-liquids between countries and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: The prevalence of vaping cannabis e-liquids was highest in the US (15.3%) and Canada (10.7%) compared to Australia (4.0%) and New Zealand (3.7%). Among past 12-month cannabis consumers, 57.5% reported using flavored vaping liquids, 34.2% used unflavored vaping products and 8.3% did not know. People who vape in Australia were most likely to report using flavored liquids compared to New Zealand (OR = 2.29), Canada (OR = 3.14), and the US (OR = 3.14) (p < .05 for all). Fruit was the most reported vaping flavor (40.8%), followed by candy/dessert (20.4%) and vanilla (15.2%). Use of flavored vapes was greater among younger, ethnic minorities, female, higher education and income adequacy, and more frequent consumers (p < .05).

Conclusion: Many cannabis consumers reported using flavored e-liquids, with highest levels among young people aged 16–35. Given the high prevalence of vaping in legal markets, regulators should consider the role of flavored vaping products in promoting cannabis use among this group.

KEYWORDS:

• Cannabis
• vaping
• flavors/flavorants
• marijuana
• vape pen

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Samantha Goodman, Danielle Wiggers, and Robin Burkhalter in the data collection and management that supported this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant [PJT-153342], with additional support from Massey University Strategic Research Fund.