Acquiring reliable 2017 U.S. electronic cigarette data requires accessing official government sources and reputable research institutions. Here’s a streamlined approach for beginners:
Primary Sources for 2017 US E-Cigarette Data
- CDC – National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS): Provides national estimates on youth tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. Focuses on middle and high school students.
- CDC – Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS): Offers state-level data on adult behaviors, including e-cigarette use prevalence.
- FDA Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study: A longitudinal dataset tracking tobacco use behaviors, attitudes, and health outcomes. Requires accessing restricted or public-use files.
- National Health Interview Survey (NHIS): Collects nationally representative data on health topics, including adult e-cigarette use.
- U.S. Census Bureau – Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) & Economic Census: Provides manufacturing, shipment, and value data for NAICS code 339999 (Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing), which includes e-cigarettes.
Step-by-Step Access Instructions
- Visit Government Data Portals: Navigate directly to the official websites of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and U.S. Census Bureau.
- Utilize Search Tools: Use the “Data & Statistics,” “Publications,” or “Research” sections on these sites. Employ keywords like “electronic cigarettes,” “e-cigarettes,” “vaping,” “2017,” “NYTS,” “BRFSS,” “PATH Study,” or “ASM.”
- Access Data Repositories: Look for dedicated data repositories such as CDC WONDER for public health data or the Census Bureau’s * platform for economic data.
- Download Reports & Tables: Locate the specific 2017 reports, data briefs, fact sheets, or statistical tables summarizing findings. These often provide the core data points in pre-analyzed formats.
- Explore Public-Use Data Files (For Advanced Users): For deeper analysis, search for Public-Use Files (PUF) or restricted-use data access applications for surveys like PATH or NYTS.
Beginner Tips & Verification
- Prioritize Official Sources: Academic journals often analyze this data, but the definitive source is the original government agency release.
- Check Report Publication Dates: Ensure the report or dataset explicitly states it covers the 2017 calendar year or the relevant 2017 survey cycle (e.g., NYTS 2017).
- Understand Survey Methodology: Review the methods section in reports to understand data collection scope (e.g., youth vs. adult, national vs. state).
- Start with Summarized Data: Leverage data briefs and fact sheets before tackling complex raw datasets.
Focusing on the CDC, FDA, and Census Bureau websites using precise search terms and targeting their publications/statistics sections offers the most reliable path to obtaining vetted 2017 U.S. electronic cigarette data.
