Perceiving E-Cigarettes as Safe and Safer Alternative to Cigarettes Among Young Adults.
Subst Use Addctn J
; 45(2): 181-190, 2024 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38281133
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Young adults are using e-cigarettes at high rates. While the literature on the health risks associated with e-cigarettes is extensive and growing, little is known about young adults' thoughts and perceptions of the safety and harms of e-cigarettes.METHODS:
We conducted one-on-one interviews with young adults aged 18 to 25 years in Los Angeles, California between June 2018 and June 2019. We interviewed and audio-recorded young adults (N = 62) who consented to the study and self-reported to have used e-cigarettes on a weekly basis or more for at least 5 months prior to study enrollment. Interviews examined participants' thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to e-cigarette use. We audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded the interviews using grounded theory analysis methods.RESULTS:
Young adults often believed that e-cigarettes were safer than cigarettes and were safe to use, especially following positive vaping experiences. Young adults were skeptical of the available science on e-cigarette use and felt there was not conclusive data on the harms of e-cigarettes. In their selection of e-cigarettes over cigarettes, young adults felt they were making a conscious and healthier choice. Because young adults viewed e-cigarettes to be better for them based on their personal experiences with vaping, they felt e-cigarettes were a superior alternative to combustible tobacco.CONCLUSIONS:
Young adults in our study believed that the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use are not clearly understood and were generally skeptical of the research on e-cigarette harms. Policy, education, and anti-smoking campaigns need to clarify the negative health-related consequences of e-cigarette use for young people.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Cese del Hábito de Fumar
/
Productos de Tabaco
/
Sistemas Electrónicos de Liberación de Nicotina
Tipo de estudio:
Qualitative_research
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Subst Use Addctn J
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos