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September
2017
Understanding
Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Among Youth and
Adults: Final Cognitive Interview Report
Prepared for
Katrina
Trivers
Stacy
Thorne
National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office
on Smoking and Health
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
4700
Buford Highway NE MS F79
Atlanta,
GA 30341
Prepared by
Sarah Parvanta
Sara Kennedy
Valerie Etta 
JJ Hayes
Julia Kish Doto
RTI
International
3040
Cornwallis Road
Research
Triangle Park, NC 27709
RTI
Project Number 0213618.018.000.005.001
BACKGROUND &
OBJECTIVES
Given the rise of electronic nicotine
delivery systems (ENDS) awareness and use among adults and youth, it
is important to measure what the public understands about these
products. ENDS terminology has been particularly challenging to sort
out in the development of survey instruments evaluating perceptions
and behaviors related to ENDS. To yield valid indicators of these
outcomes, it is critical that survey questions use familiar, clear,
and accessible language pertaining to ENDS (e.g., product and device
types, ingredients or additives, and frequency of use). We conducted
a set of cognitive interviews with youth and adults to assess their
understanding of existing survey questions about ENDS and to inform
revision of instruments used in ENDS surveillance (e.g., National
Youth Tobacco Survey [NYTS], Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System [BRFSS]). Specifically, we were interested in participants’
thoughts on the clarity, terminology, and relevance of each survey
question and response option. 
METHODS
Participant Eligibility
Eligibility for the interviews
depended on several criteria for youth and adults:
	- Youth
	had to be in grades 6 through 12 (12 to 17 years old), and adults
	had to be 18 years old or older and not in high school. 
- All
	participants had to read, understand, and speak English. 
- The
	sample had to include participants with varying levels of experience
	using electronic vaping products, including several non-users. 
- We
	aimed for a diverse sample based race, ethnicity, and gender. 
	 
Participant Recruitment and Screening
We conducted two rounds of cognitive
interviews (Round 1: Tampa, FL; Round 2: Seattle, WA). Two market
research firms recruited participants and hosted the interviews
(Round 1: L&E Research; Round 2: Consumer Opinion Services). The
firms used their contact databases to identify potential participants
and screen them for eligibility via telephone using a CDC-approved
screener (Appendix A).
Recruiters invited and scheduled eligible participants for the study.
Before the interviews began the firms provided us with participants’
screening responses to confirm eligibility. Screening responses were
de-identified.
In
Round 1, we conducted interviews with 8 adults and 8 youth. Round 2
included 8 adults and 7 youth, for a total of 31 participants across
the two rounds. Exhibit 1
shows the participant characteristics. 
Exhibit
1.	Participant Characteristics
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
		
			| 
				
 | 
				Round
				1 | 
				Round
				2 | 
				
 | 
	
	
		
			| 
				
 | 
				Youtha(n
				= 8)
 n
				(%)
 | 
				Adults(n
				= 8)
 n
				(%)
 | 
				Youth(n
				= 7)
 n
				(%)
 | 
				Adults(n
				= 8)
 n
				(%)
 | 
				Overall(N
				= 31)
 n
				(%)
 | 
	
	
		
			| 
				Sex | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
		
			| 
				Male | 
				3
				(37.5) | 
				4
				(50.0) | 
				3
				(42.9) | 
				4
				(50.0) | 
				14
				(45.2) | 
		
			| 
				Female | 
				5
				(62.5) | 
				4
				(50.0) | 
				4
				(57.1) | 
				4
				(50.0) | 
				17
				(54.8) | 
		
			| 
				Educationb | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
		
			| 
				Middle
				school (6th – 8th grade) | 
				2
				(25.0) | 
				NA | 
				1
				(14.3) | 
				NA | 
				 3
				(9.7) | 
		
			| 
				High
				school (9th – 12th grade) | 
				6
				(75.0) | 
				NA | 
				6
				(85.7) | 
				NA | 
				 12
				(38.7) | 
		
			| 
				Ever
				used e-cigarettes | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
		
			| 
				Yes | 
				6
				(75.0) | 
				6
				(75.0) | 
				3
				(42.9) | 
				8
				(100.0) | 
				23
				(74.2) | 
		
			| 
				No | 
				2
				(25.0) | 
				2
				(25.0) | 
				4
				(57.1) | 
				0
				(0.0) | 
				8
				(25.8) | 
		
			| 
				Ever
				tried other tobacco | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
		
			| 
				Yes | 
				4
				(50.0) | 
				8
				(100.0) | 
				2
				(28.6) | 
				8
				(100.0) | 
				22
				(71.0) | 
		
			| 
				No | 
				4
				(50.0) | 
				0
				(0.0) | 
				5
				(71.4) | 
				0
				(0.0) | 
				9
				(29.0) | 
		
			| 
				Race/Ethnicity | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
				
 | 
		
			| 
				Non-Hispanic
				White | 
				6
				(75.0) | 
				4
				(50.0) | 
				4
				(57.1) | 
				3
				(37.5) | 
				17
				(54.8) | 
		
			| 
				Non-Hispanic
				Black or African American | 
				1
				(12.5) | 
				1
				(12.5) | 
				0
				(0.0) | 
				3
				(37.5) | 
				5
				(16.1) | 
		
			| 
				Non-Hispanic
				Other | 
				0
				(0.0) | 
				1
				(12.5) | 
				2
				(28.6) | 
				1
				(12.5) | 
				4
				(12.9) | 
		
			| 
				Hispanic | 
				1
				(12.5) | 
				2
				(25.0) | 
				1
				(14.3) | 
				1
				(12.5) | 
				5
				(16.1) | 
	
a
The screener asked youth for their education level but not adults. b
One participant in Tampa who was 18 years old was categorized as
youth since they were still in High School. 
Survey Item Feedback
Hardcopy interview materials included
separate cognitive interview guides for youth (Appendices
B and C) and adults
(Appendices D and E),
surveys for youth and adults, and a photograph showing examples of
electronic
vaping products, including disposables, cartridge systems, and tank
systems. The cognitive interview guides listed probes for each survey
item, which differed for youth and adults. Cognitive interviews
followed a think-aloud methodology to elicit participant reactions
and evaluate their understanding the survey items and instructions
(Willis, 2005). Using this approach, the interviewer asked
participants to read instructions and questions aloud and think
through their responses aloud. The interviewer then probed on
participants’ feedback to understand how they interpreted the
survey items. 
Data Analysis
In
preparation for analysis, we developed a matrix that organized
participant feedback on each survey item. We employed a thematic
analysis that identified trends and patterns across participant
feedback to the questions and probes (Miles & Huberman, 1994).
Themes include:
	- clarity
	of instructions 
- comprehension
	and interpretation of questions and response options 
- relevance,
	suitability, and comprehensiveness of response options 
Below we report on findings from the
cognitive interviews and provide recommendations on how to revise the
candidate items and instructions. We present a list of the original
and subsequent revised questions in Exhibit 2 at the end of this
report. 
question-by-Question findings: Youth 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS]  
The
next 2 questions are about vaping. Please don’t think of vaping
to use marijuana when you answer these questions.
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most
				youth said they understood the meaning of “vaping”
				and included e-cigarettes (or electronic cigarettes) as part of
				their definition. In other words, they considered e-cigarettes
				and vaping to be part of the same category. 
				Participants
				seemed more familiar with “vape” and “vapes”
				than “vaping” or “vaping products,” but
				they still understood the term “vaping.”In
				Seattle, most youth had not heard of vaping marijuana.
				Participants did not understand the alternate instruction “Please
				don’t think of vaping to use marijuana when you answer
				these questions.” 
				Youth
				preferred the original version of the instructions (shown below)
				to the alternate version (shown above). Participants said the
				original instruction is more specific, provides a definition, and
				described more. 
				One youth said both versions
				made sense. One participant nodded in agreement when the
				interviewer asked if it helped that the original version
				mentioned “e-cigarettes and other electronic vaping
				products” rather than “vaping” alone. A second
				participant said listing vaping alone is too vague while
				distinguishing “the two” (i.e., e-cigarettes and
				vaping) makes the instructions easier to understand. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 The
			next two questions are about e-cigarettes and electronic vaping
			products containing nicotine. Do not include marijuana when
			answering these questions. E-cigarettes
			and electronic vaping products include vapes, vape pens, e-cigars,
			mods, and others. These products are battery powered and usually
			contain nicotine and flavors. | 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
[ORIGINAL
WORDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS]  
The
next 2 questions are about electronic cigarettes and other electronic
“vaping” products containing nicotine. Do not include
Marijuana.
Electronic
cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic “vaping”
products include electronic hookahs (e-hookahs), vape pens, e-cigars,
and others. These products are battery-powered and usually contain
nicotine and flavors such as fruit, mint, or candy. 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Overall,
				youth were somewhat split in terms of knowing that e-cigarettes
				and vaping products fall under the same ENDS umbrella. Several
				participants said e-cigarettes look like a cigarette, cost less
				than a vape, or are the “skinny” kind. 
				 
					“In my opinion,
					e-cigarettes are to quit smoking…and vape pens just play
					with smoke...without any nicotine base so you don’t get
					addicted” (Youth, Tampa, User). 
					This
				participant also said e-cigarettes contain nicotine while vape
				pens may or may not contain nicotine. However, later in the
				interview, this participant said a personal vaping product means
				“Like e-cigarettes, vapes...anything that has juice in it”
				(Youth, Tampa, User). 
				It
				is possible that probing on whether e-cigarettes and vaping
				products were different increased the salience of their
				differences over their similarities. As mentioned above, several
				participants recognized that e-cigarettes and vaping products are
				similar products, even if some visualize cigalikes when they
				think of e-cigarettes.Most
				youth had heard of vape pens, while only a few had heard of
				e-hookahs (although two of these participants did not know what
				e-hookahs looked like). “Vapes” appeared to be the
				most popular term, and more popular than “e-cigarettes.”
				Vape pens appeared to be most familiar compared to the other
				products listed in the original instruction. A few youth had
				heard of e-cigars. One non-user participant had heard of “vaping”
				but not “vapes.” Most youth had not heard of tanks,
				while some were familiar with mods.In
				Tampa, youth were split in terms of knowing about marijuana use
				in vaping products; some knew about this behavior and others did
				not. Still, most youth understood the instruction “Do not
				include marijuana.” Several youth thought it would be more
				clear to say “Do not think about (using) marijuana when you
				are answering these questions.” 
				In
				Seattle, most youth were generally familiar with nicotine, even
				if they could not define it specifically. Some mentioned the
				association between nicotine and cigarettes. Most youth
				understood that vaping products contain nicotine (i.e., nicotine
				is “loaded” into the devices; the “flavors”
				or “juice” contain nicotine). A few youth mentioned
				that e-liquid without nicotine is available. One youth guessed
				that vaping products contain less nicotine than cigarettes. 
				In Tampa, we did not ask youth
				a general question about nicotine, but instead asked if they
				thought people usually use nicotine or marijuana in personal
				vaporizers. Most youth were unsure, but two participants knew
				that vaporizers contain nicotine. 
				 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 The
			next two questions are about e-cigarettes and electronic vaping
			products containing nicotine. Do not include marijuana when
			answering these questions. E-cigarettes
			and electronic vaping products include vapes, vape pens, e-cigars,
			mods, and others. These products are battery-powered and usually
			contain nicotine and flavors. | 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [1] 10.1] 
Have
you ever tried a vaping product, even just one time? 
1	Yes
2	No
[Go to next section]
7	Don’t
know / Not Sure
9	Refused
[Go to next section]
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Youth
				generally understood the alternate question but there were a few
				points of confusion among some participants.Most
				thought that this question referred to any vaping product. 
				 
					“It’s
					like have you ever tried a vaping product? So, that could be
					like anything basically like to do with vaping.” (Youth,
					Seattle, User)When
				asked, one participant thought that asking “have you ever
				vaped” sounded more involved. 
					“I
					think it sounds more into the subject and it might cause people
					who have only tried it once to say no, or don’t know.”
					(Youth, Seattle, User).Participants
				understood the phrase, “even just one time.” 
				Youth understood that the
				question asked about trying vaping products at any point in their
				lives, without that being specifically stated. 
				 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				We
				do not recommend adopting this alternate version of the question.
				
				The
				question stem should include reference to e-cigarettes and other
				vaping products more broadly.Removing the phrase “in
				your entire life” may be appropriate. | 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
[1]
10.1 
Have
you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic “vaping”
product, even just one time, in your entire life? 
1	Yes
2	No
[Go to next section]
7	Don’t
know / Not Sure
9	Refused
[Go to next section]
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				For
				this question, we explored participants’ understanding of
				the terms “e-cigarette” compared to “other
				electronic vaping product” and their comprehension of the
				phrases “just one time” and “in your entire
				life.”Participants
				generally understood the question to refer to any e-cigarette or
				other vaping product. 
				At
				least one participant did not understand this question to be
				asking about products including vape pens. 
					“Have
					you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic vaping
					products, even just one time in your entire life? No. I’ve
					only tried a vape pen.” (Youth, Seattle, User)Most
				participants preferred the original wording. They reported the
				original version was clearer because it included examples. Some
				thought that it might not be clear to everyone that this question
				included e-cigarettes. 
					“Yeah,
					I think, well it’s more specific so I feel like that’s
					a more clear question.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User)Participants
				generally understood the phrase even just one time. 
					“One time as in, like,
					if you picked it up once, inhaled once, and exhaled once all in
					one go. That’s just one time.” (Youth, Tampa,
					Non-User)Some
				participants did not think that the phrase in your entire life
				was necessary but they thought it might be helpful to others.“I
				think, for me, I guess, it would seem like it would either be a
				very definitive yes or no, or guess for some if you don’t
				remember, but I think that would be something that you would
				remember so I don’t think you’d have to say ‘in
				your entire life’.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
[2]
10.2 
Do
you now use e-cigarettes or other electronic “vaping”
products every day, some days, or not at all?
1	Every
day
2	Some
days
3	Not
at all
7	Don’t
know / Not sure
9	Refused
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most
				user participants selected the response option “Some days,”
				while most non-users selected the response option “Not at
				all.” The interpretation of “some days” widely
				differed among youth participants, with a range of four times a
				week to once a month. 
				 
					“Comes
					to mind as not once a day per week, but more as like maybe you
					pick up a cigarette at least three times a week.”
					“Rarely—that would be probably to me twice every 2
					to 3 months.” (Youth, Tampa, User)“To
					me, more than 5 days out of the month.” (Youth, Tampa,
					Non-User)“I’m
					not sure because people have different definitions for “some
					days.” It could be twice a day, it could be once every
					month.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User)“Some
					days would be more in a social way or with your friends. Rarely
					would be every couple of weeks or months or as a get together.”
					(Youth, Seattle, User)One
					participant noted that some days and rarely are kind of the same
					thing. Some days would mean 3 to 4 days a week. 
					Participants
				did not demonstrate or express difficulty in interrupting the
				term “now.” Several participants who had once tried
				e-cigarettes or electronic vaping products, but have since ceased
				to use them, selected the response option “Not at all.” 
					One
					participant selected his response option with the understanding
					that “now” referred to current activity. Thus,
					because he does not use e-cigarettes or other electronic
					“vaping” products now but has done so in the past,
					he selected the response option “Not at all.”Another
					participant explained if he selected the response option, “not
					at all” because he had only picked up an e-cigarette and
					tried it one time. (Youth, Tampa, Non-User)Two
				youth participants in round two shared that many youths vape for
				the purposes of being cool or for the tricks, rather than the
				flavor. 
					“Yeah,
					I know people would like them, but I don’t think they
					would do it for the flavor…
					I know some people do it to get over smoking
					nicotine and regular cigarettes, and then I just feel like some
					people in school do it just for fun and to be cool. (Youth,
					Seattle, Non-User)“I
					think people just do it to, cause a lot of people do it just to
					do it, just not for like health use or something, they just do
					it to like, cause I seen like on Twitter and stuff like videos
					of people doing it.
					Like people just do like tricks and stuff with it,
					like people just do it for fun.” (Youth, Seattle, User)When
				asked “rarely” or “occasionally” response
				options, most non-users participants noted “rarely.”
				Interpretations of rarely ranged from once a month to every 6
				months. 
				 
					“Like
					every 6 months.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User)“I
					guess like once every month maybe.” (Youth, Seattle,
					Non-User)One participant noted that the
				response option “don’t know” is not needed. The
				participant stated, “They shouldn’t say “don’t
				know” because kids know what they’re doing. I don’t
				think you need to have that answer because they know what they’re
				doing with their body.” (Youth, Tampa, User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 Do
			you now use e-cigarettes or other electronic “vaping”
			products every day, some days, or not at all? 
			1	Every
			day 
			2	Some
			days 
			3	Not
			at all 
			9	Refused
			
			 | 
NYTS
2017 Marijuana questions
[ORIGINAL
WORDING FOR [3] 34.] 
Have
you ever used marijuana, marijuana concentrates, marijuana waxes,
THC, or hash oils in an e-cigarette?
A.
	I have never used an electronic product
B.
	Yes
C.
	No
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Participants
				understood the term “electronic product.” They said
				it referred to vapes, vape pens, “e-cigarettes, and all
				these other electronic devices that you could put nicotine in.”
				(Youth, Tampa, User)Most
				youth had not heard of marijuana concentrates. Some had heard of
				waxes, hash oils, and THC.Most
				youth said they would feel comfortable answering this question on
				a survey.Four
				youth answered “Yes” to this NYTS question. One
				participant selected “Yes” incorrectly because he or
				she had used marijuana before, but not in an e-cigarette. 
				One
				participant incorrectly answered “No” to this
				question even though he or she had never used an electronic
				vaping product before. He or she thought “No” and “I
				have never used an electronic product” were equivalent
				responses.One participant said referring
				to “e-cigarettes” in questions about marijuana and
				vaping is not appropriate because e-cigarettes are for “a
				different type of liquid…” than marijuana oil,
				“…like that juice of
				some sort” (Youth, Tampa, User). Conversely, another
				participant suggested asking if you have put “weed”
				in your e-cigarette, rather than listing multiple
				marijuana products in this question. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				We
				recommend replacing the original version with the alternate
				version tested in Seattle for several reasons: the original
				version may yield unreliable responses (i.e., responses that are
				prone to error); the alternate version tested in Tampa did not
				resonate with marijuana users; and the alternate version tested
				in Seattle yielded reliable responses and resonated with most, if
				not all, youth participants. The recommended version follows: 
			Have you ever used an e-cigarette or
			electronic vaping device to use marijuana? 
			 A.
			Yes B. No | 
NYTS
2017 Marijuana questions 
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [3] 34.]  
Have
you ever used an electronic cigarette or electronic vaping device to
use marijuana? 
A.	I
have never vaped
B.	Yes
C.
	No
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Non-marijuana
				users tended to prefer the alternate wording because it says
				“Have you ever vaped marijuana.” In addition, one
				marijuana user preferred the alternate wording and subsequently
				chose an accurate answer to this version of the question (after
				choosing an inaccurate answer to the original version).Conversely, both of the
				remaining youth who had used marijuana before did not think the
				alternate wording made sense. One participant said people don’t
				say “Have you vaped marijuana?” Another participant
				pointed out that it is not possible to use all marijuana products
				in vaping devices, and mentioned marijuana oil as the appropriate
				product. 
				 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
NYTS
2017 Marijuana questions 
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [3] 34.]  
Have
you ever used an electronic cigarette or electronic vaping device to
use marijuana? 
A.
	Yes
B.
	No
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				All
				participants who saw this alternate version provided an accurate
				response that matched their actual reported behavior.
				Participants understood that this version referred to using
				marijuana specifically through vaping devices (rather than
				ingesting marijuana in other ways or in general). 
				Most
				youth thought this alternate version was easier to answer for
				several reasons: the response options were limited to “Yes”/”No”;
				it does not imply that answering “Yes” means you have
				used all types of marijuana listed in the original version (e.g.,
				concentrates, hash oils); and the wording is less distracting.
				Some youth thought this alternate version was more broad than the
				original version. One ENDS and marijuana user suggested revising
				this version to “Have you ever used marijuana in an
				electronic…”Participants
				tended to prefer vaping “device” over vaping
				“product.”One participant thought that
				electronic cigarette and electronic vaping device were different
				because “they are separated in the question” (Youth,
				Seattle, User), but did not know how they differed. Another
				participant thought this question should list both “electronic
				cigarette” and “electronic vaping device.” | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
NYTS
2017 
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [4] 32]
[IF
PARTICIPANT HAS NOT USED VAPING PRODUCTS, ASK THIS QUESTION ABOUT
PEOPLE IN GENERAL]
Where
have you gotten or bought vaping products? (Select one or more)
1.	A
gas station or convenience store
2.	A
grocery store
3.	A
drugstore
4.	A
mall or shopping center kiosk/stand
5.	On
the Internet
6.	A
vape shop or other store that only sells e-cigarettes
7.	Some
other place not listed here
8.	From
a family member
9.	From
a friend
10.	From
some other person that is not a family member or a friend
11.	I
have never tried a vaping product
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				For
				this question, we explored participants’ reactions to the
				existing response options. 
				Overall,
				participants said the response options were thorough and there
				were no other options that should be added. A few participants
				commented that grocery stores and drug stores do not sell the
				products and suggested they could be eliminated as options. 
				 
					“The
					only two I don’t really see [as options] is a grocery
					store or a drug store. I suppose you could get medicinal
					marijuana at a drug store but I don’t know. I don’t
					automatically think vaping products come from a drug store.”
					(Youth, Seattle, Non-user)Participants
				identified gas stations, vape shops, and friends as the top
				responses where users have purchased them and non-users have seen
				them. 
				One
				participant said smoke shops should be added as a response
				option. 
				 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
NYTS
2017 
[4]
32.
During
the past 30 days, where did you get or buy the e-cigarettes that you
have used? (Select one or more)
1.	I
have never tried an e-cigarette in the past 30 days
2.	A
gas station or convenience store
3.	A
grocery store
4.	A
drugstore
5.	A
mall or shopping center kiosk/stand
6.	On
the Internet
7.	A
vape shop or other store that only sells e-cigarettes
8.	Some
other place not listed here
9.	From
a family member
10.	From
a friend
11.	From
some other person that is not a family member or a friend
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				This
				question examines a different wording of question NYTS 2017 4
				[32]. Our cognitive interview guide assessed participant reaction
				to the question stem (i.e., additional of phrase “During
				the past 30 days,” the use of the phrase e-cigarettes
				instead of vaping products and the order of the response option,
				“I have never tried…”) (listing first versus
				listing last). 
				Participants’
				reactions to the placement of the response option, “I have
				never tried…” (first verses last) were mixed.
				Participants who said it should go first explained that it would
				save time by not having to read all the responses. Those who
				wanted it at the bottom said it would be less confusing by having
				it at the end. 
				Only
				one participant said having “During the past 30 days”
				may change someone’s answers so it should remain and two
				others said it was not necessary or they were indifferent about
				it. 
				When
				asked about using the term “e-cigarettes” instead of
				“vaping products,” participants did differentiate
				e-cigarettes from vaping products with vaping products being a
				more inclusive term. 
				 
					“People
					might have tried vaping but not e-cigs, so their answers may
					change.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User)“Should
					say vaping products because e-cigarettes are different. Some
					[products] are recreational than addict[ive].” (Youth,
					Seattle, User)“Probably
					include vaping products in this question too, not just
					e-cigarettes. I don’t really see kids using
					e-cigarettes…[they] are for older people.” (Youth,
					Seattle, User,) 
					“I don’t think
					different things about the products but I count them as
					different things…e-cigarettes are vaping products but
					vaping products can be lots of other things that are not
					e-cigarettes.” (Youth, Seattle, User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 Where
			did you get or buy the vaping products you have used, including
			e-cigarettes? (Select one or
			more) 
			1.	A
			gas station or convenience store 
			2.	A
			grocery store 
			3.	A
			drugstore 
			4.	A
			mall or shopping center kiosk/stand 
			5.	On
			the Internet 
			6.	A
			vape shop or other store that only sells e-cigarettes 
			7.	From
			a family member 
			8.	From
			a friend 
			9.	Some
			other place / some other person (not a family member or a friend) 
			10.
			I have never tried a vaping product 
			 | 
NYTS
2017 
[5]
33
What
are the reasons you have used e-cigarettes? (Select one or more)
1.	I
have never tried an e-cigarette
2.	Friend
or family member used them
3.	To
try to quit using other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
4.	They
cost less than other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
5.	They
are easier to get than other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
6.	Famous
people on TV or in movies use them
7.	They
are less harmful than other forms of tobacco, such as cigarettes
8.	They
are available in flavors, such as mint, candy, fruit, or chocolate
9.	They
can be used in areas where other tobacco products, such as
cigarettes, are not allowed
10.	I
used them for some other reason
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				This
				NYTS question on reasons for using an e-cigarette was tested in
				Round 2 only. We explored if there were any answer choices that
				should be added or that did not belong.Friend
				or family member was the most common response among users. Other
				selected response options included because e-cigarettes cost less
				than cigarettes, are available in flavors, and can be used in
				areas where other tobacco products are not.Multiple
				participants reported that “peer pressure” was a main
				reason other youth might use e-cigarettes. 
				 
					“Well
					I know from people telling me, they’re peer pressured into
					it or they do it just because another friend does it. I think
					that could be included.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User)Other
				possible reasons for using e-cigarettes included “craving
				nicotine,” to do tricks with clouds of vapor, and to make
				YouTube or social media videos.Several
				participants thought that it was unlikely that any youth would
				select “famous people on TV or in movies use them.” 
					“Why, why would there
					be an answer that was, famous people on TV or movies use them?
					That seems like not very associated to this. Even though like, I
					know people do, but I don’t see why people would do it
					just because like, a celebrity’s doing it.” (Youth,
					Seattle, Non-user) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
NYTS
2016 E-Cig Product Types Question
[6]
34. 
Thinking
about all types of e-cigarettes, have you used the disposable kind or
rechargeable/refillable/tank kind? 
A.
	I have never tried an e-cigarette 
B.
	Only the disposable kind 
C.
	Only the rechargeable/refillable/tank kind 
D.
	Both the disposable kind and rechargeable/refillable/tank kind 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Participant
				responses were mixed and varied based on whether the participant
				was a user. Most non-users answered “I have never tried an
				e-cigarette,” while most users answered
				“rechargeable/refillable/tank kind.” However, one
				participant suggested adding another response option. 
					“I
					think that definitely a “Not sure” or “Don’t
					know” answer would be good here... because I know that I
					don’t know the answer to this question in my case.
					Otherwise, I think that the answers are pretty solid, there are
					only ones that ... it’s a pretty narrow question, which in
					this case is good, it needn’t have that many answers.”
					(Youth, Seattle, User)Of
				two participants who were asked if the first response option was
				confusing and if it should be put at the bottom, one noted that
				the first response option did not confuse them. However, the
				second participant suggested that this response option should be
				moved to bottom.When
				probed, it was discovered that several of the participants were
				familiar with one or two of the three kinds of e-cigarettes
				within option C, the majority being the refillable or
				rechargeable kind. Only four participants mentioned the tank kind
				in their response. Four participants noted that the rechargeable
				and refillable e-cigarettes are all the same thing, while one
				participant noted that the refillable, rechargeable and tank
				e-cigarettes are all the same kind. 
				 
					“Because
					I guess in my mind, rechargeable, refillable, tank pens are all
					kinda the same. So, and I mean refillable means you can just use
					the tank over and over if you own cartridges I guess. “(Youth,
					Seattle, Non-User)One
				participant had only heard of the rechargeable kind; however,
				after reading the question the participant understood that
				rechargeable and refillable e-cigarettes are the same thing
				because of the slashes between both terms in response choice C.
				Thus, the inclusion of slashes was helpful in the comprehension
				of the question. 
				Regarding
				the clarity of the responses, one participant noted that response
				option C was a little unclear. When probed how they would ask
				about those different things, the participant noted “I
				guess I would add another question with the tank kind.”
				(Youth, Tampa, Non-User) 
					Another
					suggested eliminating the word “kind” from the
					branch of the question. “For the most part, but it could
					be better because you don’t often answer with ‘kind.’
					It could be more... like it is very broad. If you’re
					trying to be more specific, you could drop kind and leave it at
					rechargeable/refillable/tanks. (Youth, Tampa, User)One
					participant in Tampa noted that vaping was not in the response
					option choices and asked if a vape fit in one group.Although
				only one of the youth participants selected response B, 9 of 15
				youth participants could correctly defined disposable
				e-cigarettes. 
				 
					“It
					makes me think of the e-cigarettes that you but, that they are
					disposable but they only have such a certain lifespan. When they
					die, you dispose of them, and you’ve got to throw them
					away.” (Youth, Tampa, User)When
				prompted, one participant noted that disposables are
				self-explanatory and can be disposed of after use. (Youth, Tampa,
				User) 
					“I imagine that the
					disposable kind would be more like, like you can’t change
					out the cartridge like it’d just be like you buy one and
					then you use that and it’s done.” (Youth, Seattle,
					Non- User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				Thinking
				about all types of e-cigarettes, have you used the disposable or
				rechargeable/refillable/tank? 
				Add another question
				specifically for the tank e-cigarette. | 
NYTS
2016 E-Cig Product Types Question
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [6] 34.]
Thinking
about all types of vaping products, have you ever used…
1.	Vaping
products that you can’t refill using bottles of e-liquid
2.	Vaping
products with refillable tanks and special features 
3	Vaping
products with refillable tanks and no special features
4.	I
have never tried a vaping product 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Of
				11 participants, only 4 stated that the alternate version was
				easier to answer, while other participants found the alternate
				version to be confusing. 
					One
					participant noted that the alternate version was asking an
					entirely different question because the original question was
					about e-cigarettes while the alternate version was about vaping
					products and special features.Another
					participant noted that the original question was easier to
					answer because it explained more types. “The first one,
					because it explains more of the types. If I didn’t I would
					just be thinking about one time.” (Youth, Tampa, User)One
					participant believed that the original question and alternate
					question were the same but had different response formats. “I
					think they’re both the same kind of question, just like a
					different like answer type. 6B, this is more of like a complete
					the sentence I guess. 6A is like actual multiple choice. But
					they’re just the same question I guess, just I think they
					are the same.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User)“I
					think the first one was easier to understand because ‘have
					never tried a vaping product’ was at the top.”
					(Youth, Tampa, Non-User)Several
				participants lacked knowledge about special features or
				temperature control, which made it difficult to select the
				appropriate response option. 
				In Round 2, one participant
				suggested changing the order position of the response option “I
				have never tried a vapor product” to the first response
				option (Youth, Seattle, User). Another participant liked the same
				response option at the bottom of the list explaining that it
				didn’t make sense with the sentence in the question
				ellipse. (Youth, Seattle, Non-User) 
				 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 Thinking
			about all types of vaping products, have you ever used… 
				I
				have never tried a vaping product 
				Vaping
				products that you can’t refill using bottles of e-liquidVaping
				products with refillable tanks and special features 
				Vaping
				products with refillable tanks and no special features | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions: 
[8]
DRIP1.  
“Dripping”
is a method of heating electronic vapor product liquid by dripping
drops directly onto a heating element and then immediately inhaling.
Have you ever used the dripping method
to add e-liquid to your electronic vapor product?
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know/not sure
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Only
				one youth had heard of dripping. A second youth did not know what
				it was, but also said his or her extended family member used the
				dripping method. 
				Most
				participants understood “e-liquid.” Some mentioned
				“juice” or “syrup.” Several participants
				knew that e-liquid contained nicotine.One
				participant explained that “your vaping product”
				referred “e-cigarettes, vapes, anything with the juice in
				it,” even though earlier in the interview, he or she
				reported that e-cigarettes are different from vaping.One participant incorrectly
				guessed that dripping referred to refilling/changing out
				e-liquid. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 “Dripping”
			is a method of dripping
			drops of electronic vaping
			product liquid directly onto the heating element inside an
			electronic vaping device and then immediately
			inhaling the heated vapor.
			
			 Have
			you ever used the “dripping” method with your
			electronic vaping device? 
			 1
			Yes 2
			No 3
			Don’t know / Not sure | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions:
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [8]
DRIP1]
“Dripping”
is a method of heating e-liquid by dripping it directly onto a
heating element inside an electronic vaping product and then
immediately inhaling. Have you ever used the dripping method to add
e-liquid to your electronic vaping product? 
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know / Not sure
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most
				youth preferred this alternate version more than the original
				version. One participant preferred the reference to “e-liquid”
				in the alternate version rather than “electronic vapor
				product liquid” in the original version. 
				A few participants did not
				understand one or both versions. One of these participants
				incorrectly guessed that the alternate version referred to
				“adding e-liquid” and “just, globing it in
				there” (Tampa, Youth, User). | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				Although
				our primary recommendation is to use the revision above, some of
				the findings pertaining to e-liquid and refilling devices may
				suggest that the question should explicitly address these
				factors. Therefore, we offer a second possibility for revision
				that lists e-liquid instead of electronic vapor liquid and adds
				an instruction to distinguish dripping from refilling. However,
				we recognize that some participants may not have heard of
				e-liquid, and adding more information is not necessarily
				effective because participants may skip over it. “Dripping”
			is a method of dripping
			drops of e-liquid
			or “juice”
			directly onto the heating element inside an electronic vaping
			device and then immediately
			inhaling the heated vapor.
			“Dripping” is
			different from refilling an electronic vaping device. Have
			you ever used the “dripping” method with your
			electronic vaping device? 
			 1
			Yes 2
			No 3
			Don’t know / Not sure | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions:
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [8]
DRIP1]
“Dripping”
is a method of heating e-liquid by dripping it directly onto a heated
coil inside a vaping product and then immediately inhaling. Have
you ever used dripping to add e-liquid to a vaping product?
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know / Not sure
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most
				youth had not heard of dripping. One participant reported hearing
				of people describing this method but said it was not called
				“dripping.” Two youth thought they had used the
				dripping method but seemed to confuse this method with merely
				refilling their device. Notably, one non-user claimed to have not
				heard of dripping but described the method perfectly: “I
				think there’s like a coil inside the e-cigarette, when you
				use it, it like, releases the liquid onto the coil…And
				then the liquid evaporates and then that’s where you get
				all like, the vapor.” (Youth, Seattle, Non-User)Most
				participants were at least somewhat familiar with e-liquid
				although some were more familiar with the terms “juice,”
				“vape juice,” or “syrup.”Very
				few participants were familiar with coils.A
				few participants preferred “electronic vapor product
				liquid” rather than “e-liquid” because the
				longer term is easier to visualize. This subset of participants
				had not heard of e-liquid before. One participant knew the term
				“e-liquid” and preferred this term over “electronic
				vapor product liquid” because “e-liquid” is
				less wordy.There was little consensus as
				to whether this alternate version was easier to understand than
				the original version. One participant preferred the original
				version but seemed to think a heating element could refer to
				multiple types of heated surfaces. Another participant preferred
				the original version because it better described how to fill up
				the device, which is an incorrect interpretation of
				dripping. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 “Dripping”
			is a method of dripping
			drops of electronic vaping
			product liquid directly onto the heating element inside an
			electronic vaping device and then immediately
			inhaling the heated vapor.
			
			 Have
			you ever used the “dripping” method with your
			electronic vaping device? 
			 
			1 Yes 
			2 No 3
			Don’t know / Not sure | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions:
[8]
16. New. [**ASK ONLY IF PARTICIPANT HAS USED DRIPPING]
Why
did you use the dripping method?
	- 
	
		
		
		
			| DRIP2a. | 
				It
				makes the flavor taste better |  
			| DRIP2b. | 
				It
				makes a stronger “hit” |  
			| DRIP2c. | 
				It
				makes a thicker cloud of vapor |  
			| DRIP2d. | 
				I
				was curious |  
			| DRIP2e. | 
				Other
				reason |  
 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Although
				most participants had not heard of dripping, they generally
				understood the response options.Youth
				thought “I was curious” would be the most likely
				reason for dripping.Participants
				understood the flavor option because they generally associated
				e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquid with flavors. 
					“The
					juice comes in, like, different flavors like strawberry. Really
					wild flavors.” (Youth, Tampa, Non-user)Some
				youth associated thicker or larger clouds of vapor as being cool
				or being perceived as cool. 
					“Most
					of the reason why people use it is because, like, the smoke
					coming out ... It looks cool. And, like, the bigger the better.”
					(Youth, Tampa, User)Participants
				understood the answer choice “stronger hit.”One
				youth who had used the dripping method explained why he had used
				it: 
					“Uh,
					I, I was just kinda curious. My friend came over with his vape,
					and he was showing me how to do it, and I’m like, ‘Whoa,
					that’s cool’.” (Youth, User, Tampa)Another
				participant referenced a reason for dripping would be for the
				flavor, a stronger hit, and to do tricks. 
					“Uh,
					well, it makes,
					it does make the flavor taste better. It’s just stronger,
					more potent. It makes a stronger hit, so it’s harsher…
					And it makes
					it thicker uh vapor to where it’s clouds and you can do
					tricks with them.” (Youth, Seattle, User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
Image
Activity
 
	- 
	Have
	you ever seen any of these products? Are there any that you’ve
	never seen? 
	 
- 
	What’s
	the difference between these products [point to disposables,
	cartridges, and tanks as you ask this]? 
	 
- 
	Are
	we missing any products in this picture? 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				All
				participants could answer this question about products without
				difficulty. When probed during Round 1 on which products
				participants have seen that were not on the list, one participant
				noted the big hookah and another noted sticks mods.Five
				participants clearly recalled seeing all the electronic vaping
				products in the picture. Most participants noted seeing the tank
				and disposable products. 
				Participants
				identified gas stations as the top response for locations where
				they have seen or purchased electronic vaping products. Other
				responses included around school, smoke shops, vape shops, and
				online.Many
				of the participants found the picture of electronic vaping
				products helpful. 
					“Yeah.
					Because it explains and it shows the different types of vapes
					and the difference between vapors, e-cigs, and hookahs.”
					(Youth, Tampa, User)While
					looking at the picture several of the participants were able to
					recognize and differentiate some of the electronic products by
					size (e.g., tanks).Three
				participants noted seeing kids at or around school with
				electronic vaping products. 
					“Yeah,
					for e-cigarettes and vaping, they use the tanks, not really
					cartridge systems. ..It’s bad that they look like
					cigarettes, they light up on the end. They call cigarettes
					cancer sticks.” (Youth, Tampa, Non-User)Of
				four participants, two did not know the difference between an
				e-hookah and a regular hookah. The two participants that knew the
				difference correctly stated that e-hookah was smaller than the
				regular hookah. 
					“Well
					obviously, like it’s in a smaller thing, so, and the other
					hookah is like big and stuff, I’ve seen like videos and
					stuff.” (Youth, Seattle, User) 
 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Recommendations | 
question-by-Question findings: adults
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
The
next 2 questions are about electronic cigarettes and other electronic
“vaping” products containing nicotine. Do not include
Marijuana.
Electronic
cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic “vaping”
products include electronic hookahs (e-hookahs), vape pens, e-cigars,
and others. These products are battery-powered and usually contain
nicotine and flavors such as fruit, mint, or candy. 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most
				adults had heard of electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and
				electronic vaping products. One participant said the term
				“e-cigarettes” is more commonly used than “electronic
				cigarettes.” A few participants were not familiar with the
				term “vaping.” However, two other participants said
				“vaping” is a common term. 
				Several
				participants were familiar with the term “vapes.”
				Referring to vaping products, one participant said, “Most
				all people I know that use it refer to them as, you know, vape
				pens or devices” (Adult, Tampa, User). Most were not
				familiar with mods except for one participant in Seattle who
				frequently vaped using marijuana (and rarely vaped using
				nicotine). “Personal vaporizers” was also an
				unfamiliar term.Some
				adults had heard of mods while others had not. Few mentioned
				tanks. Most adults were not familiar with e-cigars. Some had
				heard of e-hookahs but a few were less familiar with this
				product. In Seattle, participants were not asked specifically
				about e-cigars or e-hookahs when discussing the instructions but
				almost no one pointed out these products specifically in their
				feedback. 
				Participants
				were split in terms of understanding that e-cigarettes and vaping
				fall under the same ENDS umbrella. Some thought e-cigarettes were
				distinct from vapes, while others thought these products were
				part of the same category. One participant had heard of
				electronic cigarettes but not electronic vaping products; he or
				she guessed that vaping products were associated with
				e-cigarettes.Several
				adults put e-cigarettes and electronic vaping products in the
				same category. One participant associated e-cigarettes with a
				fake cigarette that is not rechargeable and said vape pens are
				larger with a chamber for flavors. Another participant associated
				tank systems with marijuana use and e-cigarettes with nicotine,
				but understood that tank systems can also contain nicotine. Our
				interpretation is that most adults understand that e-cigarettes
				and vaping products all represent one electronic product category
				but think e-cigarettes look like cigalikes and vaping products
				look like devices other than cigalikes.We
				asked Seattle participants specifically if they noticed the
				reference to nicotine in the instructions. All responded yes. 
				Most
				adults had heard of smoking marijuana with vaping devices or
				performed this behavior.Most
				adults understood the instruction “Do not include
				marijuana.” For example, one participant interpreted these
				instructions as meaning, “Maybe not to talk about marijuana
				in my usage” (Adult, Tampa, User). 
				One
				adult suggested changing this instruction to “Do
				not include marijuana in the thought process maybe, for the rest
				of the questions” (Tampa, Adult, Non-User).Most adults did not think the
				instructions should list specific product brands. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 The
			next two questions are about e-cigarettes and electronic vaping
			products containing nicotine. Do not include marijuana when
			answering these questions. E-cigarettes
			and electronic vaping products include vapes, vape pens, e-cigars,
			mods, and others. These products are battery-powered and usually
			contain nicotine and flavors. | 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
 [1]
10.1 
Have
you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic “vaping”
product, even just one time, in your entire life? 
1	Yes
2	No
[Go to next section]
7	Don’t
know / Not Sure
9	Refused
[Go to next section]
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				For
				this question, we explored how easy or difficult it was for
				participants to answer, how they understood the word “used”
				and what substances they thought of when answering.Adult
				participants found this question to be clear and easy to answer.Participants
				understood “used” to mean putting the product to your
				mouth and that it might include only one puff.Participants
				understood this question was not asking about marijuana use and
				generally thought of e-cigarettes as containing nicotine,
				although they were aware that not all e-cigarettes contained
				nicotine. 
					“No
					(not thinking of marijuana), the e-cigarette was specific there…
					it’s very clear that it e-cigarettes, nicotine products,
					not marijuana.” 
					Some participants thought that
				if the question had just referenced electronic vaping products,
				it could have been confusing about whether the question was
				referring to nicotine or marijuana. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
 [ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [1] 10.1] 
Have
you ever tried a vaping product with nicotine, even just one time? 
1	Yes
2	No
[Go to next section]
7	Don’t
know / Not Sure
9	Refused
[Go to next section]
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				An
				alternate version of this question was tested during Round 2.
				Many participants did not clearly understand this question to
				include e-cigarettes.A
				participant who reported ever e-cigarette use but responded no to
				this question explained he answered no to this question because
				he imagined devices that produced large clouds were separate from
				e-cigarettes. 
					“I
					see these people when I was back at school puffing on these
					things. They blow big clouds of smoke out and they keep doing
					it. I’m just like, wow, that’s a little harsh. It
					just looks like they’re getting too much smoke or
					something. It’s crazy.” (Adult, Seattle, User)Another
				participant specifically pictured “mods” when asked
				this question. 
					“I
					automatically, on this one, for some reason go more towards a
					mod though. I think just because it’s more common to have
					a non-nicotine cartridge for your mod than it is for, like,
					e-cigs, or a cigarette, it’s supposed to be nicotine
					based, so, I go right to a mod for this.” (Adult, Seattle,
					User)Although some participants
				preferred this because it was shorter, it introduced confusion
				around which products were included. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
BRFSS
E-Cig Question: 
[2]
10.2 
Do
you
now
use e-cigarettes or other
electronic “vaping” products
every
day,
some
days,
or
not
at
all?
1	Every
day
2	Some
days
3	Not
at all
7	Don’t
know / Not sure
9	Refused
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				For
				question 2, most participants did not find the term “now”
				confusing in any way. Participants clearly answered the questions
				in regard to present day and not by past actions.Most
				participants correctly differentiated between every day, some
				days, and not at all. Participants that currently use
				e-cigarettes or other electronic vaping products but not on an
				everyday basis, proceeded to select “some days.” 
				A
				few participants noted some areas of confusion: 
					“Once
					again, I don’t understand the relevance of the don’t
					know not sure response but with me, it would be some days.”
					(Adult, Tampa, User)“Actually
					the “every day, some days,” I don’t know if it
					makes a difference but to me it’d probably be more
					straightforward to say ‘every day, occasionally or not at
					all.’ Occasionally would seem to fit more for me because
					it’s not some days. Its more of an occasion. It’s
					not on a particular day that I’m just smoking that
					product. Seems a little more specific than just every now or
					then.” (Adult, Tampa, User)Responses
				around the interpretation of “some days” varied on an
				individual basis. Although the number of days differed, most
				participants understood that some days referred to a few days in
				the week or in a month. 
				 
					“Maybe
					5 days a week, and smoke about 3 times, about 20 minutes each.
					(Could some days mean something less than 5 out of 7?) Some days
					means you don’t use something every day, like coffee.
					There are some days I can go without smoking, I don’t get
					the urge to want to smoke anything.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“Some
					days. Well I’m not like an everyday user. I just know I
					like social settings or if I’m really stressed I might. So
					definitely not every day for me. Cause I do it sometimes so yeah
					just some days. Just doing like on the weekends, maybe 5 to 10
					days out of the month. So definitely not every day use.”
					(Adult, Seattle, User)Additional
				probes for the words “occasionally” and “rarely”
				were included to this question during Round 2. Some participants
				were about to differentiate between occasionally, some days, and
				rarely while others were not. The inability to differentiate the
				terms was most likely a result of using indefinite terms that
				vary per personal vaping usage. 
				 
					“Rarely
					is the same as occasionally. Rarely means 1-2 days a week, some
					days would be 3+ days a week.” (Adult, Seattle, User)“Some
					days and occasionally would be interchangeable.” (Adult
					Seattle, User)One
				participant noted that to receive a correct answer, a distinction
				on the definition of each term must be made. 
					“If
					you want the correct answer from somebody, you’re going to
					have to make a distinction on what it is. Is it every day just
					like this one is, some days, and just occasionally and some
					day’s kind of differ a little bit. Occasionally just kind
					if means every weekend, or you know every other day. (Adult,
					Seattle, User) 
					When
				asked how participants would write this question any differently
				participants provided the following responses. 
				 
					“If
					I had to write this question, I would exclude electronic and
					just say somedays vape. I would also add ‘rarely’
					and ‘not sure’.” (Adult, Tampa, User)Only one participant noted
				using another term, “dabbing,” besides e-cigarettes
				or electronic vaping products. All other participants that noted
				the original terms were clear. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
Summer
Styles 2017:
[3]
1. New. 
Have
you ever tried any of the following products, even just one time? 
	
	
	
		| TOBTR1. | 
			Cigarettes | 
	
		| TOBTR2. | 
			Cigars
			(e.g., big cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars that look like
			cigarettes) | 
	
		| TOBTR3. | 
			Electronic
			vapor products (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes,
			hookah pens, vape pens, or some other electronic vapor product) | 
	
		| TOBTR4. | 
			Smokeless
			tobacco (e.g., chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, snus, or dissolvable
			tobacco) | 
	
		| TOBTR5. | 
			Pipes
			filled with tobacco | 
	
		| TOBTR6. | 
			Water
			pipes, also known as hookahs filled with tobacco | 
	
		| TOBTR7. | 
			Some
			other tobacco product | 
	
		| TOBTR8. | 
			None
			[SP] | 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Cigarettes,
				cigars, and electronic vapor products were identified as the most
				tried products, even just one time. 
				Most
				participants noted that it was clear they could pick more than
				one response. However, one participated noted that he or she did
				not know participants could select more than one answer and that
				the question should include “select all that apply.”
				(Adult, Tampa, User) When
				asked about using the term “vapor” instead “vaping,”
				most participants preferred the term “vaping.” 
				 
					“Probably
					vaping, because you’re actively vaping something. It just
					makes more sense than ‘vapor’.” (Adult, Tampa,
					User)Five
				of eight participants had never heard of vapes, mods, and
				personal vaporizers. Of the three products, mods were the most
				unheard of product. 
					“Mods
					I haven’t heard of, but vapes and personalize, yes, I
					have. I visualize everybody carries them around constantly.”
					(Adult, Tampa, User)Several
				participants had heard of the term “smokeless tobacco”
				but noted that people never use the term. Participants shared
				that smokeless tobacco is commonly called “chew,”
				“snus,” “snuff,” and on some on occasions
				“dip.” 
					“People
					never use the term smokeless tobacco, just use snus. I haven’t
					heard a lot of people use the term smokeless tobacco, people
					just call it snus. But dip is different, it is the loose cut
					tobacco like Copenhagen that you put in your lip, that is
					different than snus. Chewing tobacco is the same thing.”
					(Adult, Seattle, User)“Heard
					it referred to as smokeless tobacco, but more commonly called
					chew or chewing tobacco. Either smokeless tobacco or ‘chew/dip’
					and then there is snus or snuff – generally all tobacco
					you put in your mouth, but they are all different and each is a
					distinct product.” (Adult, Seattle, User)Products
				that participants had not heard of included water pipes, e-pipes,
				hookahs, dissolvable tobacco, other tobacco products. 
				Most
				participants knew that water pipes and hookahs were the same
				thing. One participant stated “People get caught up in the
				wording. I’ve never heard anybody say water pipes”
				(Adult, Tampa, User). This statement was deemed correct when one
				participant in Round 2 noted he did not know the difference
				between water pipes and hookahs. The wording most likely confused
				the participant. 
					“I
					don’t know the difference between water pipes and other
					hookahs – I believe that as opposed to using nicotine or
					any other flavored product, you can use water as another option,
					like a vapor product that is using water.” (Adult,
					Seattle, User)None
				of the participants had difficulty understanding the meaning of
				“tried.” Participants understood “tried”
				to mean using of the listed products at least one time. 
				 
					“To
					use it at least use it once.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“Experimented,
					not necessarily more than once. Tried it once so you’d
					have an opinion about it. Either the word tried or experimented
					would be fitting. Try and experiment no difference. Only
					difference is you see something and you want to try it and see
					what it is like. Try is like someone just offers it to you and
					you didn’t want to do in advance. It just presented itself
					to me.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“Done it at least
					once.” (Adult, Tampa, User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
Summer
Styles 2017:
[4]
8.
EVPBUY. 
Where
have you ever purchased electronic vapor products (a device or
e-liquid), such as e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah
pens, vape pens? 
	
	
	
		| TOBGT1. | 
			A
			gas station or convenience store 
			 | 
	
		| TOBGT2. | 
			A
			drug store | 
	
		| TOBGT3. | 
			A
			supermarket, a grocery store, or a warehouse club | 
	
		| TOBGT4. | 
			Over
			the Internet | 
	
		| TOBGT5. | 
			A
			mall or shopping center kiosk/stand | 
	
		| TOBGT6. | 
			A
			vape shop or
			specialty store that sells electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) | 
	
		| TOBGT7. | 
			A
			smoke shop, tobacco specialty store or tobacco outlet store | 
	
		| TOBGT8. | 
			I
			got them from some other person 
			 | 
	
		| TOBGT8. | 
			Somewhere
			else | 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				The
				most popular responses included smoke shops followed by gas
				stations with malls and drug stores being the least popular
				responses. 
				Of
				note, several participants (users and non-users) responded with
				locations where they have seen the products, not necessarily
				where they have purchased them. This may be a result of asking
				this question of the non-users as one participant commented, “My
				choice is not there. I’ve never purchased.” (Adult,
				Tampa, Non-user)When
				asked if vape shops were different than smoke shops, responses
				were mixed. Those participants who said they differed shared the
				reasons for the difference was in breadth of products sold and
				generational differences in customers. 
				 
					“I
					think a smoke shop would sell e-cigarettes but a vape shop would
					not sell cigarettes.” (Adult, Tampa, Non-user)“Smoke
					shop is nicotine based and a vape shop is not.” (Adult,
					Tampa, User)“Vape
					shops…are strictly vape. They don’t sell
					cigarettes. They advocate for not smoking. I’ve never even
					seen someone smoke a cigarette outside a vape shop. They are two
					different things.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“I
					would just say smoke shop or vape shop. One is electronic and
					one is not…9 times out of 10 tobacco stores have both,
					just a smaller selection.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“I
					don’t think the older generation [would] go to a vape
					shop, whereas, the new generation won’t go to a smoke
					shop.” (Adult, Tampa, User)Several
				participants shared that the two types of shops were the same. 
				 
					“I
					wouldn’t have thought they were two different places.”
					(Adult, Seattle, User) “I
					put smoke shop and vape shop in the same category.”
					(Adult, Seattle, User)One
				participant recommended the term grocery store be used in
				place of supermarket and another suggested collapsing the
				first two response options into one option called, “A
				retail location.”Although most participants
				said the response options were complete, two suggested including
				additional response options; vending machines (i.e., such as
				those at casinos) and flea markets. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 Where
			have you ever purchased electronic vapor products (a device or
			e-liquid), such as e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes,
			hookah pens, vape pens? 
			 
				
				
				
					| TOBGT1. | 
						A
						gas station or convenience store 
						 |  
					| TOBGT2. | 
						A
						drug store |  
					| TOBGT3. | 
						A
						grocery store, or a warehouse club |  
					| TOBGT4. | 
						Over
						the Internet |  
					| TOBGT5. | 
						A
						mall or shopping center kiosk/stand |  
					| TOBGT6. | 
						A
						vape shop or
						specialty store that sells electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) |  
					| TOBGT7. | 
						A
						smoke shop, tobacco specialty store or tobacco outlet store |  
					| TOBGT8. | 
						I
						got them from some other person 
						 |  
					| TOBGT8. | 
						Somewhere
						else |  
			
 
 | 
Summer
Styles 2017:
[5]
12.
New. 
EVPRUL.
Which
statement best describes the rules about using electronic vapor
products (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah
pens, vape pens, or some other electronic vapor product) inside your
home? 
	
	
	
		| 1 | 
			It
			is not allowed anywhere or at any time inside my home | 
	
		| 2 | 
			It
			is allowed in some places or at sometimes inside my home | 
	
		| 3 | 
			It
			is allowed anywhere and at any time inside my home | 
	
		| 4 | 
			Don’t
			know/Not sure | 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Responses
				were mixed and varied based on whether the participant was a
				user. Users were more likely to allow use in their homes. 
				Several
				participants said their answer would depend on whether children
				were also physically present (i.e., not allowing use while
				children were present). 
				 
					“If
					there’s children, you don’t want them to be around
					vapor or anything that could be harmful.” (Adult, Seattle,
					User)“Although
					I said I smoke anywhere, but [if] my daughter is home, I don’t
					do it because I don’t want her to see me…that
					response option is not here.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“I
					think of my friends that have kids. I think they would probably
					not want you to use it if their kids were awake, but maybe if
					their kids were asleep.” (Adult, Seattle, User) 
					Other
				reasons for not allowing use in the home included if individuals
				are eating or if the vape clouds get too large for individuals in
				the home to see well. 
				A
				few participants who allowed the products to be used
				anywhere/anytime inside the home, explained their answer by
				commenting that they did not view electronic vapor products as
				harmful. These participants said they although they did allow EVP
				to be used in their homes, they did not allow cigarette smoking
				inside their home. 
				 
					“It’s
					vapes…I don’t care. I wouldn’t do a hookah
					thing [inside my home.] That would put more steam in the room.”
					(Adult, Tampa, User)“It’s
					allowed anywhere because it’s the same as the smoke you’ve
					seen in foggers. It’s more like the nebulizers. It’s
					the same thing but instead of water, its vegetable oil.”
					(Adult, Tampa, User)“If
					it was like real cigarettes, there would be rules but because
					it’s vape, there’s not.” (Adult, Seattle,
					User)A
				few participants were confused by the wording of the response
				options. For example, some were confused by the verbiage
				“electronic vaping products.” Others were unclear
				about the overall reference to time versus place. 
				 
					“Anywhere
					but not any time? So you are saying it’s allowed in my
					room but not at any time?” (Adult, Seattle, User)“[The
					term] ‘Vaping’ throws me.” (Adult, Tampa,
					User)“I
					don’t like smoke in my house. I don’t care what it
					is. Obviously, that was confusing.” (Adult, Tampa,  User)“I don’t know.
					I’m not sure if it’s asking and they’ve
					already said use it.” (Adult, Tampa, User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
Summer
Styles 2017:
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [6] 10.
New]
Have
you heard that vaping products can help people quit smoking tobacco
from any of the following sources? 
	
	
	
		| HLPHR2. | 
			Print
			advertisement (magazine or newspaper) | 
	
		| HLPHR3. | 
			Internet
			(social media, a website, or blog) | 
	
		| HLPHR4. | 
			Television
			(show or ad) | 
	
		| HLPHR5. | 
			A
			healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.) | 
	
		| HLPHR6. | 
			Vape
			shop (employee/owner, store sign, etc.) | 
	
		| HLPHR7. | 
			Friend
			or family member | 
	
		| HLPHR8. | 
			Other
			
			 | 
	
		| HLPHR9. | 
			Don’t
			know/Don’t remember | 
	
		| HLPHR1. | 
			I
			have never heard that vaping products can help people quit smoking
			tobacco | 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				During
				Round 2, we tested an alternate version of this question.
				Participants generally understood both questions to be asking the
				same thing.Many
				participants preferred the alternate
				question because it was shorter and more direct. 
				Most
				participants easily understood the term vaping
				products. However,
				only referring to “vaping products” introduced some
				confusion for at least one participant. 
					“I
					think e-cigarettes were invented to replace the cigarette. I’m
					not quite sure what the vaping thing is supposed to be doing
					there…. Vaping products. Electronic vaping products…This
					one (version of the question) doesn’t say anything, it
					just says vaping products. That made me think, what are we
					talking about.” (Adult,  Seattle, User)Most participants thought the
				question would be easier to answer if it was asked as two
				questions. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				Consider
				separating this item into two questions. A yes or no question
				assessing if a survey respondent has heard that e-cigarettes can
				help people quit smoking tobacco and a second question on
				sources.Considering asking about
				“e-cigarettes or other electronic vaping products.” | 
Summer
Styles 2017:
[6]
10.
New. 
Have
you heard that electronic vapor products (e.g., e-cigarettes,
e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah pens, vape pens, or some other
electronic vapor products) can help people quit smoking tobacco from
any of the following sources? 
	
	
	
		| HLPHR1. | 
			I
			have never heard that electronic vapor products can help people
			quit smoking tobacco [SP] | 
	
		| HLPHR2. | 
			Print
			advertisement (such as in a magazine or newspaper) | 
	
		| HLPHR3. | 
			Internet
			(such as on social media, a website, or blog) | 
	
		| HLPHR4. | 
			Television
			(show or ad) | 
	
		| HLPHR5. | 
			A
			healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.) | 
	
		| HLPHR6. | 
			Vape
			shop (employee/owner, store sign, etc.) | 
	
		| HLPHR7. | 
			Friend
			or family member | 
	
		| HLPHR8. | 
			Other
			
			 | 
	
		| HLPHR9. | 
			Don’t
			know/Don’t remember | 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				For
				this question, we tested comprehension of the question and
				explored if any response options should be removed or added. We
				also investigated how participants understood the term “quit
				smoking.” 
				This
				question required participants to first recall if they had heard
				that e-cigarettes could help people quit smoking and then where
				they had heard this. Although participants tended to reach the
				correct answer, responding frequently required participants to
				re-read the question and think for longer periods of time about
				what the question was asking.A
				few participants selected response options for where they assumed
				people would hear that e-cigarettes would help people quit
				smoking, without having heard it from that source directly. 
				 
					For
					example, one participant selected vape shops because she assumed
					vape shops would tell customers e-cigarettes help people quit
					smoking to increase sells though she, herself, had never been to
					a vape shop.Some
				participants thought the option “I have never heard…”
				should be the last response option. It was confusing to read the
				“I have never heard” first after the question asked
				about sources of information.Participants
				understood “quit smoking tobacco” to include all
				tobacco products. 
					“All
					of it. No snuff, no chewing tobacco, no tobacco period.”
					(Adult, Tampa, Non-user)Some
				participants based their belief that e-cigarettes could help
				people quit smoking or cut back on smoking from their own
				personal experiences. 
					“It
					actually helped me, so I would go with um, I don’t see
					myself (as a response option). So maybe other or myself. Just
					because I don’t go out as, as much because of the heat
					index, and like I haven’t totally quit cigarettes, but
					I’ve noticed that since I’ve been doing the vape, my
					packs definitely last a lot longer.” (Adult, User, Tampa)“Yeah, I would say so
				the other (response option) would be me, because I’m, I’m
				actually experimenting. When I moved down here, I was smoking a
				lot. At work. And then I went from just work to my house and then
				when I was going out, so I was like, okay, this is getting out of
				hand. Because I have a kid, I don’t like smoking around
				her. So then, um, I vape every now and then which is, I feel,
				better for me.” (Adult, Tampa, User). 
				 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				Consider
				separating this item into two questions. A yes or no question
				assessing if a survey respondent has heard that e-cigarettes can
				help people quit smoking tobacco and a second question on
				sources.Consider
				moving the response option “I have never heard…”
				to the bottom.Consider adding “from
				personal experience” as a response option. | 
styles
2017 Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Questions:
[7]
17.
New. 
“Heat-not-burn”
tobacco products heat tobacco sticks or capsules to produce an
aerosol or “vapor.” They are different from electronic
vapor products such as e-cigarettes, which heat a liquid to produce
an aerosol or “vapor.” Some brands of “heat-not-burn”
tobacco products include iQOS, glo, Ploom TECH, and Revo. Before
today, have you heard of “heat-not-burn” tobacco
products? 
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know/Not sure
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				The
				majority of participants had not heard of heat-not-burn tobacco
				nor capsules or sticks. The two participants who said they did
				hear of it, did not recognize the brands. Two other were unsure
				if they had heard of it. 
				 
					“Yeah, I know what they
					are talking about. I recognize this brand glo but I wouldn’t
					know that it was heat-not-burn.” (Adult, Seattle, User)Participants
				found the question confusing and they disliked the term,
				“heat-not-burn” saying it was “a mouthful,”
				and something “a doctor would say.” They commented
				there should be a different name for it. One participant said it
				was the same as dabbing marijuana. 
				 
					“The word itself is
					weird. There should be a different word for it.” (Adult,
					Tampa, User) “It’s a mouthful
					to say, ‘heat-not-burn.’ Then naming the products is
					a mouthful.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“[The] only word I know
					on that is vapor. Everything else is confusing.” (Adult,
					Tampa, User)Use
				of the term aerosol was a bit disconcerting for some and few said
				it reminded them of hair spray. 
				 
					“The aerosol part is
					kinda scary.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“I’m picturing a
					hair spray can or a bug spray can. It doesn’t sound too
					appealing to me.” (Adult, Tampa, User). 
					 “May be close but two
					totally different words. Aerosol makes me think of spray and
					vapor is liquid turning into smoke or steam.” (Adult,
					Seattle, User)Acceptability
				regarding the use of the term “cloud” varied. 
				 
					“No, you don’t
					call it a cloud. I’ve never heard of anyone call[ing] it
					anything other than a vapor.” (Adult, Seattle, User)“Some people think it’s
					cool to refer to it as a ‘vape cloud.’”
					(Adult, Seattle User)“I would call it vapor
					in a social setting. I am sure there is a scientific difference
					between aerosol and vapor if I am talking about these products
					but I don’t care about science.” (Adult, Seattle,
					User)“Never heard of anyone
					refer to the cloud as an aerosol or vapor. They just call it
					smoke.” (Adult, Seattle, User) 
 | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions: 
[8]
DRIP1. ORIGINAL WORDING  
“Dripping”
is a method of heating electronic vapor product liquid by dripping
drops directly onto a heating element and then immediately inhaling.
Have you ever used the dripping method
to add e-liquid to your electronic vapor product?
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know / Not sure
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most
				adults had not heard of dripping, including some ENDS users. 
				Two
				ENDS users had used the dripping method and provided the correct
				description of this method. One of these adults reported that
				“packing” is another term for “dripping.”Some adults seemed to confuse
				dripping with refilling in both the alternate version and the
				original version. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions:
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [8]
DRIP1]
 “Dripping”
is a method of heating e-liquid by dripping it directly onto a
heating element inside an electronic vaping product and then
immediately inhaling. Have you ever used the dripping method to add
e-liquid to your electronic vaping product? 
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know / Not sure
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most adults preferred this
				alternate wording to the original wording because, as they
				reported, it was more streamlined, sounded better, more specific,
				and more concise and straightforward. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				We recommend revising the
				dripping item to be more concise. Our suggested revision, which
				combines the findings from the original version, this Round 1
				alternate version, and the Round 2 alternate version, is shown
				below. | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions:
[ALTERNATE
WORDING FOR [8]
DRIP1]
 
“Dripping”
is a method of heating e-liquid by dripping it directly onto a heated
coil inside a vaping product and then immediately inhaling. Have
you ever used dripping to add e-liquid to a vaping product?
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know / Not sure
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Most
				participants preferred the original version to this alternate
				version because they said the description was easier to
				understand. However, one frequent user of marijuana in vaping
				devices thought the original wording—without the reference
				to coils—sounded like the dabbing method with THC (i.e.,
				dripping drops onto a heating element). 
				One
				participant preferred the reference to “electronic vapor
				product liquid” rather than “e-liquid” because,
				as he or she reported, e-liquid is for e-cigarettes
				rather than vaping.Despite
				participants’ affinity toward this version, responses were
				usually incorrect. Although most adults were not familiar with
				dripping, they selected “No” rather than “I
				don’t know.” Two adults selected “Yes”
				but one of these participants did not seem to know what dripping
				was. He or she said, “That’s
				where you get the various flavors.” (Adult, Seattle,
				Non-User)A
				few adults thought they knew of the dripping method but described
				it incorrectly. Another thought the method was like making drip
				coffee. Most adults, however, did not seem to understand dripping
				even after reading the description in the question. 
				One
				adult thought “dripping” and “dabbing”
				were synonymous. (Note, this participant is in addition to the
				participant above who said that the original wording sounds like
				it refers to dabbing.)Most
				adults were not familiar with coils.Most
				adults recognized the term “e-liquid” but “juice”
				was more widely used. A few adults mentioned “e-juice,”
				“syrup,” or “drops.” One participant who
				frequently smoked marijuana through vaping devices reported that
				juice refers to nicotine, while oils refers to marijuana.Adults were split in terms of
				thinking that all e-liquid contains nicotine. A few thought some
				e-liquid contains nicotine and some does not. A few did not know
				what e-liquid was made of but associated it with “flavors.”
				Two adults confirmed that e-liquid contains nicotine. | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				We
				recommend applying similar revisions to the adult dripping item
				as we did for the youth dripping item. However, given that
				e-liquid and juice were highly recognized among adults, the adult
				version of the question could potentially list these terms, as
				show below: “Dripping”
			is a method of dripping
			drops of electronic vaping
			product liquid (e-liquid or e-juice) directly onto the heating
			element inside an electronic vaping device and then immediately
			inhaling the heated vapor.
			
			 Have
			you ever used the “dripping” method with your
			electronic vaping device? 
			 1
			Yes 2
			No 3
			Don’t know / Not sure | 
Styles
2017 Dripping Questions:
[9]
16. New. [**ASK ONLY IF PARTICIPANT HAS USED DRIPPING]
Why
did you use the dripping method?
	
	
	
		| DRIP2a. | 
			It
			makes the flavor taste better | 
	
		| DRIP2b. | 
			It
			makes a stronger “hit” | 
	
		| DRIP2c. | 
			It
			makes a thicker cloud of vapor | 
	
		| DRIP2d. | 
			I
			was curious | 
	
		| DRIP2e. | 
			Other
			reason | 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				For
				this question, we explored if participants understood the
				response options and asked participants familiar with the
				dripping method if any reasons for dripping were missing. 
				During
				the first round, the second response option was tested in its
				original wording “It makes a stronger throat hit.”
				Some adult participants found this wording to be odd and
				suggested removing the word throat. 
					“It
					makes a stronger throat hit is kind of, um, weird. We do use the
					word hit, though, when we just say hits better, like if it’s
					stronger.” (Adult, Tampa, User)One
				participant who was very familiar with the dripping method
				thought that the current response options covered the reasons he
				and his friends had used the dripping method. 
					“Me,
					myself, personally, it would be first three. The dripping is
					almost, you get this almost the same hit as you do as you taking
					a drag off of a cigarette. And you can make it stronger by
					turning it, turning up the amperage, or turning it down if you
					want a weaker hit.” His top choice was thicker cloud of
					vapor because “You can actually do tricks with the vapor.
					Blow rings out ... I can, I can blow rings. But my friends can
					blow rings, they can blow a ring inside that ring, it actually
					looks like a jellyfish.” (Adult, Tampa, User)Participants were asked if the
				question should ask: “What is the main reason you drip?”
				All participants understood the meaning to be the same but some
				participants preferred this phrasing because they felt it sounded
				more open and “less accusatory.” | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Revisions to the Question 
			 
				Remove
				the word throat from the second response options so that it
				reads: It makes a stronger “hit.”Consider
				adding a response option “To do tricks with clouds of
				vapor.”Consider revising the question
				to “What are the reasons you use the dripping method?” | 
Image Activity
 
	- 
	Have
	you ever seen any of these products? Are there any that you’ve
	never seen? 
	 
- 
	What’s
	the difference between these products [point to disposables,
	cartridges, and tanks as you ask this]? 
	 
- 
	Are
	we missing any products in this picture? 
	
	
		| 
			Findings 
				Several
				participants had seen all the products in the image activity
				picture, while many others identified with seeing the disposable,
				cartridge, and tank systems.A
				few participants noted “hookah pipes” and “hookahs”
				as a missing product in the picture. Another participant
				described a product that appeared to be missing but did not know
				the specific name. 
					“There
					is a Buse one that as a thicker barrel to it and the top is a
					little different, but that is the only one that may be missing.”
					(Adult, Seattle, User)One
					participant said “the pictures need to be more clear.
					Because it’s hard to tell with them separated, they all
					kind of look like the normal stuff you see so I can’t
					really picture anything that’s missing.” (Adult,
					Seattle, User)“Maybe
					the hookah product is missing, no pictures of hookah, so a few
					missing.” (Adult, Tampa, User)Only
				a few participants could differentiate between the mechanical mod
				and regulated mod. The participants who did respond noted
				differences in tank size. 
					“The
					black square one looks like it holds more juice than the others
					because the tank is bigger.” (Adult, Tampa, User)“Maybe
					this one has a bigger tank.” (Adult, Tampa, User)Several
				participants noted that picture should be included along with the
				survey questions. 
				 
					“Yes, it would be
					helpful, pictures are always worth a thousand words.”
					(Adult, Tampa, User) | 
	
		| 
			Suggested
			Recommendations | 
global findinGs and CONCLUSIONS
Based on the research findings, we
present the following key conclusions:
	- In general, participants
	understand most questions and if a question is unclear, they are
	able to determine their answer based on the available wording.
	However, there could be misperceptions as to what the question is
	referencing. For example, with respect to e-hookahs versus hookahs.
	Images and graphics may help to clarify which devices the questions
	are referring to. 
	 
- Participants appreciate the
	definitions the questions provide but find the definitions more
	useful when they are presented towards the end of the question or as
	an additional separate question (i.e., one that follows a question
	assessing knowledge such as have you heard of x or do you use y). 
- Vaping, although a commonly
	accepted term, has a wide breath of definitions and misperceptions
	exist as to which products contain nicotine. Youth generally
	perceive e-cigarettes as a product used by adults and vaping is
	often done socially for tricks and sport. 
	 
- Few participants have heard of
	dripping and heat-not-burn. Dripping was occasionally confused with
	marijuana dabbing. We recommend questions clarify if and when they
	are asking about marijuana usage versus tobacco usage.   
	 
- One notable difference by city
	was that youth in Tampa were more
	familiar with vaping marijuana than in Seattle. This may be because
	marijuana use remains illegal in Florida. 
	 
Below in Exhibit 2, we present a list
of the original and subsequent revised questions.
Exhibit
2. Summary of Recommended Changes
Recommendations for Youth Survey Questions 
BRFSS
E-Cigarette Question Instructions
Original
instructions:
The
next 2 questions are about electronic cigarettes and other electronic
“vaping” products containing nicotine. Do not include
Marijuana.
Electronic
cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic “vaping”
products include electronic hookahs (e-hookahs), vape pens, e-cigars,
and others. These products are battery-powered and usually contain
nicotine and flavors such as fruit, mint, or candy. 
Recommended
revised instructions:
The next
two questions are about e-cigarettes and electronic vaping products
containing nicotine. Do not include marijuana when answering these
questions.
E-cigarettes
and electronic vaping products include vapes, vape pens, e-cigars,
mods, and others. These products are battery-powered and usually
contain nicotine and flavors.
BRFSS
E-Cigarette Ever Use Question
Original
survey question:
Have
you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic “vaping”
product, even just one time, in your entire life? 
1.	Yes
2.	No [Go to next
section]
7.	Don’t know
/ Not Sure
9.	Refused [Go to
next section]
Recommended
revised survey question:
Have
you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic “vaping”
product, even just one time? 
1.	Yes
2.	No [Go to next
section]
7.	Don’t know
/ Not Sure
9.	Refused [Go to
next section]
BRFSS
E-Cigarette Current Use Question
Original
survey question:
Do
you now use e-cigarettes or other electronic “vaping”
products every day, some days, or not at all?
1.     
Every day
2.     
Some days
3.     
Not at all
7.     
Don’t know / Not sure
9.     
Refused 
Recommended
revised survey question:*
Do
you now use e-cigarettes or other electronic “vaping”
products every day, some days, or not at all?
1.     
Every day
2.     
Some days
3.     
Not at all
9.     
Refused
*
Rarely was included in the adult recommendation for this question.
While youth participants preferred rarely but there was variation in
how they defined it so it was not included in the recommendation. 
NYTS
2017 Marijuana Question [Question 34]
Original
survey question:
Have
you ever used marijuana, marijuana concentrates, marijuana waxes,
THC, or hash oils in an e-cigarette?
A. 	I have never
used an electronic product
B. 	Yes
C. 	No
Recommended
revised survey question:
	Have you ever used
an electronic cigarette or electronic vaping device to use marijuana?
A. 	Yes
B. 	No
NYTS
2017 E-Cigarette Source Question [Question 32]
	Original
survey question:
During
the past 30 days, where did you get or buy the e-cigarettes that you
have used? (Select one or more)
1.	I have never
tried an e-cigarette in the past 30 days
2.	A gas station or
convenience store
3.	A grocery store
4.	A drugstore
5.	A mall or
shopping center kiosk/stand
6.	On the Internet
7.	A vape shop or
other store that only sells e-cigarettes
8.	Some other place
not listed here
9.	From a family
member
10.	From a friend
11.	From some other
person that is not a family member or a friend
Recommended
revised survey question:
Where
did you get or buy the vaping products you have used, including
e-cigarettes? (Select one or more)
1.	A
gas station or convenience store
2.	A
grocery store
3.	A
drugstore
4.	A
mall or shopping center kiosk/stand
5.	On
the Internet
6.	A
vape shop or other store that only sells e-cigarettes
7.	From
a family member
8.	From
a friend
9.	Some
other place / some other person (not a family member or a friend)
10.
	I have never tried a vaping product
NYTS
2017 Reasons for E-Cigarette Use [Question 33]
Original
survey question:
What
are the reasons you have used e-cigarettes? (Select one or more)
1.	I have never
tried an e-cigarette
2.	Friend or family
member used them
3.	To try to quit
using other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
4.	They cost less
than other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
5.	They are easier
to get than other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
6.	Famous people on
TV or in movies use them
7.	They are less
harmful than other forms of tobacco, such as cigarettes
8.	They are
available in flavors, such as mint, candy, fruit, or chocolate
9.	They can be used
in areas where other tobacco products, such as cigarettes, are not
allowed
10.	 I used them
for some other reason
Recommended
revised survey question:
What
are the reasons you have used e-cigarettes? (Select one or more)
1.	I have never
tried an e-cigarette
2.	Friend or family
member used them
3.	To try to quit
using other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
4.	They cost less
than other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
5.	They are easier
to get than other tobacco products, such as cigarettes
6.	I was peer
pressured into using them
7.	They are less
harmful than other forms of tobacco, such as cigarettes
8.	They are
available in flavors, such as mint, candy, fruit, or chocolate
9.	They can be used
in areas where other tobacco products, such as cigarettes, are not
allowed
10.	I used them for
some other reason
NYTS
2016 E-Cig Product Types Question [Question 34]
	Original
survey question:
Thinking
about all types of e-cigarettes, have you used the disposable kind or
rechargeable/refillable/tank kind? 
1. 	I have never
tried an e-cigarette 
2. 	Only the
disposable kind 
3. 	Only the
rechargeable/refillable/tank kind 
4. 	Both the
disposable kind and rechargeable/refillable/tank kind 
Recommended
revised survey question:
Thinking
about all types of vaping products, have you ever used…
1.	I
have never tried a vaping product 
2.	Vaping
products that you can’t refill using bottles of e-liquid
3.	Vaping
products with refillable tanks and special features 
4.	Vaping
products with refillable tanks and no special features
Styles
2017 Dripping Question 
Original
survey question:
“Dripping”
is a method of heating electronic vapor product liquid by dripping
drops directly onto a heating element and then immediately inhaling.
Have you ever used the dripping method to add e-liquid to your
electronic vapor product?
1.	Yes
2.	No
3.	Don’t
know/not sure
Recommended
revised survey question:
“Dripping”
is a method of dripping drops
of electronic vaping product liquid directly onto the heating element
inside an electronic vaping device and then immediately
inhaling the heated vapor.
Have you ever used the “dripping” method with your
electronic vaping device? 
1.
	Yes
2.
	No
3.
	Don’t know / Not sure
Styles
2017 Reasons for Dripping Question
Original
survey question:
	Why
did you use the dripping method?
1.
	It makes the flavor taste better
2.
	It makes a stronger throat “hit”
3.
	It makes a thicker cloud of vapor
4.
	I was curious
5.
	Other reason
Recommended
revised survey question:
	Why
did you use the dripping method?
1.
	It makes the flavor taste better
2.
	It makes a stronger “hit”
3.
	It makes a thicker cloud of vapor
4.
	I was curious
5.
	To do tricks with clouds of vapor
6.
	Other reason
E-Cigarette
Image Activity
Recommendation:
Cost
permitting, include the picture of the products in advance of asking
the survey questions.
Recommendations for Adult Survey Questions 
BRFSS
E-Cigarette Question Instructions
Original
survey instructions:
The
next 2 questions are about electronic cigarettes and other electronic
“vaping” products containing nicotine. Do not include
Marijuana.
Electronic
cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic “vaping”
products include electronic hookahs (e-hookahs), vape pens, e-cigars,
and others. These products are battery-powered and usually contain
nicotine and flavors such as fruit, mint, or candy.
Recommended
revised survey instruction:
The next two
questions are about e-cigarettes and electronic vaping products
containing nicotine. Do not include marijuana when answering these
questions.
E-cigarettes
and electronic vaping products include vapes, vape pens, e-cigars,
mods, and others. These products are battery-powered and usually
contain nicotine and flavors.
BRFSS
E-Cigarette Ever Use Question
Original
survey question:
Have
you ever used an e-cigarette or other electronic “vaping”
product, even just one time, in your entire life? 
1	Yes
2	No [Go to next
section]
7	Don’t know
/ Not Sure
9	Refused [Go to
next section]
Recommended
revised survey question:
No
Recommendations.
BRFSS
E-Cigarette Current Use Question
Original
survey question:
Do
you
now
use e-cigarettes or
other electronic “vaping” products
every
day,
some
days,
or
not
at
all?
1	Every day
2	Some days
3	Not at all
7	Don’t know
/ Not sure
9	Refused 
Recommended
revised survey question:*
Do
you
now
use e-cigarettes or
other electronic “vaping” products
every
day,
some
days,
or
not
at
all?
1	Every day
2	Some days
3 	Rarely
4	Not at all
7	Don’t know
/ Not sure
9	Refused 
*Rarely
was not included in the youth version of this question. Rarely or
occasionally may be used for the adult version of this question. Both
tested equally well. 
Summer
Styles 2017 E-Cigarette Point of Sale Question
Original
survey question:
Where have you ever
purchased electronic vapor products (a device or e-liquid), such as
e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah pens, vape pens? 
TOBGT1.	A gas
station or convenience store 
TOBGT2.	A drug
store
TOBGT3.	A
supermarket, a grocery store, or a warehouse club
TOBGT4.	Over the
Internet
TOBGT5.	A mall or
shopping center kiosk/stand
TOBGT6.	A vape shop
or specialty store that sells electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
TOBGT7.	A smoke
shop, tobacco specialty store or tobacco outlet store
TOBGT8.	I got them
from some other person 
TOBGT8.	Somewhere
else
Recommended
revised survey question:
Where have you ever
purchased electronic vapor products (a device or e-liquid), such as
e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah pens, vape pens? 
1.  	A gas station
or convenience store 
2. 	A drug store
3.	A grocery store,
or a warehouse club
4.	Over the
Internet
5.	A mall or
shopping center kiosk/stand
6.	A vape shop or
specialty store that sells electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
7.	A smoke shop,
tobacco specialty store or tobacco outlet store
8.	I got them from
some other person 
9.	Somewhere else
Summer
Styles 2017 ENDS Home Rules
Original
survey question:
Which
statement best describes the rules about using electronic vapor
products (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah
pens, vape pens, or some other electronic vapor product) inside your
home? 
1	It is not allowed
anywhere or at any time inside my home
2	It is allowed in
some places or at sometimes inside my home
3	It is allowed
anywhere and at any time inside my home
4	Don’t
know/Not sure
Recommended
revised survey question:
Which
statement best describes the rules about using electronic vapor
products (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah
pens, vape pens, or some other electronic vapor product) inside your
home? 
	
		- 
		
			
			
			
				| 1 | 
					It is not
					allowed anywhere or at any time inside my home (i.e., must
					go outside to use) |  
				| 2 | 
					It is
					allowed in some places or sometimes inside my home (i.e.,
					can use in a certain room like a basement or bedroom or can use
					certain times like when no children around) |  
				| 3 | 
					It is
					allowed anywhere inside my home 
					 |  
				| 4 | 
					It is
					sometimes allowed inside my home |  
 
Summer
Styles 2017 Sources of Information about E-Cigarettes and Quitting
Original
survey question:
Have
you heard that electronic vapor products (e.g., e-cigarettes,
e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah pens, vape pens, or some other
electronic vapor products) can help people quit smoking tobacco from
any of the following sources? 
1.	I
have never heard that electronic vapor products can help people quit
smoking tobacco 
2.	Print
advertisement (such as in a magazine or newspaper)
3.	Internet
(such as on social media, a website, or blog)
4.	Television
(show or ad)
5.	A
healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.)
6.	Vape
shop (employee/owner, store sign, etc.)
7.	Friend
or family member
8.	Other
9.	Don’t
know/Don’t remember
Recommended
revised survey question:
Have
you ever heard that electronic vapor products (e.g., e-cigarettes,
e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah pens, vape pens, or some other
electronic vapor products) can help people quit smoking tobacco?
1.
	Yes
2.
	No
3.
	Don’t know / Not sure
[Ask
if yes]
Where
have you heard that electronic vapor products (e.g., e-cigarettes,
e-hookahs, e-cigars, e-pipes, hookah pens, vape pens, or some other
electronic vapor products) can help people quit smoking tobacco?
1.	Print
advertisement (such as in a magazine or newspaper)
2.	Internet
(such as on social media, a website, or blog)
3.	Television
(show or ad)
4.	A
healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, dentist, etc.)
5.	Vape
shop (employee/owner, store sign, etc.)
6.	Friend
or family member
7.	From
personal experience
8.	Other
9.	Don’t
know/Don’t remember
styles
2017 Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Question
Original
survey question:
“Heat-not-burn”
tobacco products heat tobacco sticks or capsules to produce an
aerosol or “vapor.” They are different from electronic
vapor products such as e-cigarettes, which heat a liquid to produce
an aerosol or “vapor.” Some brands of “heat-not-burn”
tobacco products include iQOS, glo, Ploom TECH, and Revo. Before
today, have you heard of “heat-not-burn” tobacco
products? 
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know/Not sure
Recommended
revised survey question:
Have
you heard of heat-not-burn tobacco products? “Heat-not-burn”
tobacco products heat tobacco sticks or capsules to produce an
aerosol or “vapor.” They are different from electronic
vapor products such as e-cigarettes, which heat a liquid to produce
an aerosol or “vapor.” Some brands of “heat-not-burn”
tobacco products include iQOS, glo, Ploom TECH, and Revo. 
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t
know/Not sure
Styles
2017 Dripping Question 
Original
survey question:
“Dripping”
is a method of heating electronic vapor product liquid by dripping
drops directly onto a heating element and then immediately inhaling.
Have you ever used the dripping method to add e-liquid to your
electronic vapor product?
1	Yes
2	No
3	Don’t know
/ Not sure
Recommended
revised survey question:
“Dripping”
is a method of dripping drops of electronic vaping product
liquid (e-liquid or e-juice) directly onto the heating element inside
an electronic vaping device and then immediately inhaling the
heated vapor. 
Have
you ever used the “dripping” method with your electronic
vaping device? 
1 	Yes
2     	No
3    	Don’t
know / Not sure
Styles
2017 Reasons for Dripping Question 
Original
survey question:
Why
did you use the dripping method?
1.	It makes the
flavor taste better
2.	It makes a
stronger throat “hit”
3. 	It makes a
thicker cloud of vapor
4.	I was curious
5.		Other reason
Recommended
revised survey question:
What
are the reasons you used the dripping method?
1.	It makes the
flavor taste better
2.	It makes a
stronger throat “hit”
3. 	It makes a
thicker cloud of vapor
4.     To do tricks
with clouds of vapor
5.	I was curious
6.		Other reason
Image
Activity
Recommendation:
Include images throughout the surveys if budget/ survey
administration mode allows.   
REFERENCES
Miles,
M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative
data analysis. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Willis,
G. B. (2005). Cognitive
interviewing: A tool for improving questionnaire design. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
APPENDICES
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document | 
| Author | DiVito, Norma | 
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 | 
| File Created | 2021-01-20 |