Modelling the public health effects of e cigarettes requires estimates of the likelihood that different individuals and population subgroups will start using e cigarettes and subsequently transition to and from combustible cigarette use. To begin to generate input values for modelling efforts, this study assessed adults’ behavioral intentions in relation to a disposable e cigarette: BIDI^® Stick.

An online questionnaire assessed intentions to try and use a BIDI^® Stick regularly in 11 flavor variants among U.S. nationally representative samples of adult (21+ years) Non Smokers (n=2,284), Current Smokers (n=2,391), Former Smokers (n=2,241), and Young Adult (21-24 years) Non Smokers (n=1,140) of combustible cigarettes following exposure to product information and images. Current Smokers rated their intentions to use a BIDI^® Stick to partially or completely replace cigarettes.

Positive intention to try a BIDI^® Stick at least once was, for each flavor variant, highest among Current Smokers (22.4 28.1%), lower among Former Smokers (6.0 9.7%) and Non Smokers (3.4 5.2%), and lowest among Never Smokers (1.0 2.4%). Among Current Smokers, Former Smokers, and Non Smokers, trial and regular use intentions were lowest among E Cigarette Non Users and E Cigarette Never Users. Approximately 23.6% of Current Smokers reported an intention to use a BIDI^® Stick in at least one flavor to completely switch from cigarettes and/or to reduce cigarette consumption.

Low trial and regular use intentions suggest U.S. adults who do not currently smoke cigarettes and/or use e cigarettes are unlikely to initiate use of the BIDI^® Stick e cigarette. Trial and regular use intentions are highest among adults who currently smoke cigarettes and/or use e cigarettes. A moderate proportion of Current Smokers may try using a BIDI^® Stick e cigarette as a partial or complete replacement for combustible cigarettes.