Youth and Young Adult Access to Flavored Vaping Products Following a Sales Restriction in New York State: A Mixed Methods Approach

Abstract

Introduction

We examined youth and young adult access to flavored vaping products following New York’s (NY’s) flavored vaping product sales restriction in 2020.

Method

In 2021, we conducted an online survey (N = 493) and focus groups (N = 33) with NY youth and young adults who vaped in the past year (ages 15–24). We summarize findings and use logistic regression to assess associations with access to flavored vaping products.

Results

Most youth and young adults who vaped in the past year (64%) had obtained flavored vaping products. Among them, 49% purchased in a store, 47% got them from social sources, and 11% bought online. Focus group participants reported restricted products were available on store shelves or behind the counter. Those under age 21 were less likely to buy flavored vaping products in store than those aged 21–24, but age was unrelated to online purchases. Focus group participants reported websites did not require age verification, or they found ways to circumvent it. Most believed buying flavored vaping products was easy (77%) and had gotten easier or stayed the same in the past year (70%).

Discussion

Most NY youth and young adults who vaped in the past year obtained flavored vaping products and found it easy to buy them after the statewide sales restriction, suggesting that implementation has not occurred as intended. Findings also raise questions about retailer compliance and highlight enforcement challenges with online purchases. Continued retailer education and enforcement efforts, including for online sales, may help flavored vaping product sales restrictions achieve intended outcomes.