Key highlights:

A central debate in tobacco policy is whether taxing e-cigarettes might unintentionally drive vapers back to traditional cigarettes, which are linked to increased risk for many cancers, heart/blood vessel and lung diseases.

A new study found that higher (pre-tax) base prices and higher taxes both reduced e-cigarette use, measured by product units purchased and the amount of nicotine consumed.

The study did not find statistically significant evidence that raising e-cigarette prices led to greater cigarette consumption among the general adult e-cigarette-using sample.

Tobacco researchers say that given the complex e-cigarette marketplace with different product types, a one-size-fits-all tax may not be sufficient. Policymakers could consider tiered tax designs to achieve specific public health goals.