Purpose: Although heated tobacco product (HTP) use among adolescents is an emerging public health problem, little is known about the
frequency and quantity of HTP use. Thus, we investigated the associations between the frequency and quantity of HTP use and smoking
characteristics (i.e., combustible cigarette [CC] and electronic cigarette [EC] use, and attempts to quit smoking) among CC-smoking adolescents.
Methods: We analyzed nationally representative data from 2,470 Korean adolescents who were current CC smokers. To investigate
our aim, we conducted multinomial logistic and logistic regression analyses. Results: We found that daily and heavier CC users had
greater likelihoods of more frequent and heavier HTP use. In addition, dual users of CCs and ECs were more likely to use HTPs more frequently
and heavily than CC users who did not use ECs. Moreover, daily EC users had the highest risk of frequent and heavy HTP use. The
frequency and quantity of HTP use were not associated with attempts to quit smoking. Compared to CC-only use, dual use of CCs and
HTPs was not associated with quitting attempts, and triple use of CCs, ECs, and HTPs was associated with a lower likelihood of quitting attempts.
Conclusion: HTP use was less likely to displace CC use and promote attempts to quit smoking. Thus, strict regulations are required
to prevent the promotion of HTPs as a substitute for CCs or as a means of quitting smoking. Additionally, health professionals should consider
preventive interventions for HTP, as well as CC and EC use among adolescents.