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The Effect of E-Cigarette Flavor Bans on Tobacco Use

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  • Chad D. Cotti
  • Charles J. Courtemanche
  • Yang Liang
  • Johanna Catherine Maclean
  • Erik T. Nesson
  • Joseph J. Sabia

Abstract

Advocates for sales restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes argue that flavors appeal to young people and lead them down a path to nicotine addiction. This study is among the first to examine the effect of state and local restrictions on the sale of flavored electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products on youth and young adult tobacco use. Using data from the State and National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, we find that the adoption of an ENDS flavor restriction reduces frequent and everyday youth ENDS use by 1.2 to 2.5 percentage points. Auxiliary analyses of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System show similar effects on ENDS use for young adults ages 18-20. However, we also detect evidence of an unintended effect of ENDS flavor restrictions that is especially clear among 18-20-year-olds: inducing substitution to combustible cigarette smoking. Finally, there is no evidence that ENDS flavor restrictions affect ENDS use among adults aged 21 and older or non-tobacco-related health behaviors such as binge drinking and illicit drug use.

Suggested Citation

  • Chad D. Cotti & Charles J. Courtemanche & Yang Liang & Johanna Catherine Maclean & Erik T. Nesson & Joseph J. Sabia, 2024. "The Effect of E-Cigarette Flavor Bans on Tobacco Use," NBER Working Papers 32535, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32535
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    Cited by:

    1. Dave, Dhaval & Liang, Yang & Maclean, Johanna Catherine & Muratori, Caterina & Sabia, Joseph J., 2025. "The Effect of E-Cigarette Taxes on Substance Use," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    2. Francis J. DiTraglia & Laura Liu, 2025. "Bayesian Double Machine Learning for Causal Inference," Papers 2508.12688, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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