Adolescents’ and young adults’ perceptions of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: A focus group study
Menée aux Etats-Unis à partir d'une enquête auprès de 127 jeunes adultes et adolescents, cette étude analyse leurs perceptions vis-à-vis de l'utilisation de la cigarette électronique pour arrêter de fumer
Introduction : Research has shown that adults perceive that electronic (e-) cigarettes are effective for smoking cessation, yet little is known about adolescents and young adults’ perceptions of e-cigarettes for quitting cigarette smoking. This study describes middle, high school, and college students’ beliefs about, and experiences with, e-cigarettes for cigarette smoking cessation.
Methods : We conducted 18 focus groups (n=127) with male and female cigarette smokers and non-smokers in 2 public colleges, 2 high schools and 1 middle school in Connecticut between November 2012 and April 2013. Participants discussed cigarette smoking cessation in relation to e-cigarettes. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results : All participants, regardless of age and smoking status, were aware that e-cigarettes could be used for smoking cessation. College and high school participants described different methods of how e-cigarettes could be used for smoking cessation: 1) Nicotine reduction followed by cessation; 2) Cigarette reduction/dual use; and 3) long-term exclusive e-cigarette use. However, overall, participants did not perceive that e-cigarette use led to successful quitting experiences. Participants described positive attributes (maintenance of smoking actions, “healthier” alternative to cigarettes, and parental approval) and negative attributes (persistence of craving, maintenance of addiction) of e-cigarettes for cessation. Some college students expressed distrust of marketing of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
Conclusions : Adolescent and young adult smokers and non-smokers perceive that there are several methods of using e-cigarettes for quitting and are aware of both positive and negative aspects of the product. Future research is needed to determine the role of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation in this population.
Nicotine & Tobacco Research , résumé, 2015