A thematic analysis of smokers’ and non-smokers’ accounts of E-cigarettes

Abstract

This study explored smokers’ and non-smokers’ accounts of E-cigarettes. A total of 51 UK-based participants, 20 men and 31 women, responded to open-ended questions online. Inductive thematic analysis identified that the factors that influence E-cigarette behaviour and opinion in adult smokers and non-smokers are related to social context, informative sources, practical aspects and health implications. Participants presented varying accounts of E-cigarettes, suggesting that individual narratives regarding E-cigarettes are multi-faceted. This is important information for health professionals and policy makers tasked with advising on E-cigarette use.

An investigation of factors encouraging and deterring EC use: a thematic analysis of accounts from UK adults

“…This study explored the perspectives of adults with diverse smoking EC statuses on encouraging and deterring use of ECs, expanding on an existing study (Wilson et al, 2020), with the aim of contributing to the existing knowledge base and strengthening existing health messaging. Outcomes suggest that key factors that encourage and deter EC use in adult smokers and non-smokers are related to (1) social influence; (2) representation and knowledge; (3) aspects of addiction.…”

“…The interviews occurred face-to-face, lasted approximately 30-60 minutes each and were recorded using a dictaphone. The interview schedule was developed from thematic outcomes of previous work (Wilson et al, 2020). The topic list was not designed to be prescriptive, but to ensure that important areas of investigation were not overlooked during the interview, and to also provide a framework around which participants could discuss their experience and attitudes toward ECs.…”

“…The sample consisted of participants who were diverse in terms of their smoking/EC status to capture a range of accounts. These groups were purposefully chosen as this study aimed to expand on the results of the existing larger scale qualitative research study which explored factors that influence EC behaviour and opinion in adult smokers' and non-smokers' , using the same participant groups (Wilson et al, 2020). Three participants self-reported successfully quitting smoking using an EC; three self-reported failing to quit smoking using an EC; two were self-reported dual users; one was a self-reported smoker who had tried ECs; one was a self-reported EC user with no smoking history and two were self-reported non-smokers/vapers.…”

“…Or isn't it? […] Ambiguity was amplified by the limited available longitudinal research, this has been previously discussed as a deterring factor of ECs (Farrimond, 2016;Wilson et al, 2020). : yeah, and I think they are no real long-term studies about it…are there?…”

“…Individual narratives are therefore multifaceted and far from homogenous (Kim et al, 2017). One large scale qualitative study conducted by the authors identified that the factors that influence EC behaviour and opinion in adult smokers and non-smokers are shaped by social context, informative sources, practical aspects and health implications (Wilson et al, 2020) The current study provides an opportunity to further contribute to the understanding of adult perceptions of ECs, with a particular focus on expanding on the existing large scale qualitative study (Wilson et al, 2020) by exploring in more depth the thematic outcomes using semi-structured interviews. The aim was to explore encouraging and deterring factors from a diverse range of participants with varied smoking/EC statuses accessing participants from the same groups as the previously mentioned study.…”