Strategies and tactics: what have we NOT learned from decades of tobacco industry interference

The tobacco industry has historically targeted vulnerable populations to increase its profits and at the expense of health. More recently, the use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS or vapes) has reached epidemic levels among vulnerable populations such as youth, globally. The vape industry uses similar tactics to advertising and market ENDS products to youth and thus contributing to increasing rates. One particularly targeted population is the youth LGBTQ+ population. In the U.S, young LGBTQ+ individuals have higher rates of ENDS use compared to heterosexuals and are also more likely to initiate ENDS use at a younger age. In this presentation, we will highlight the research to date that has documented the ENDS industry strategies and tactics with a particular focus on young LGBTQ+ populations as a vulnerable targeted population in the US, highlight similarities to the tobacco industry practices and lessons NOT learned, and propose potential prevention and policy strategies going forward.