Exploring Attitudes of Children 12–17 Years of Age Toward Electronic Cigarettes

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore electronic cigarettes (EC) use among youth. Focus group sessions with youth (aged 12-17) were held to explore their knowledge and attitudes about EC use. Content analysis techniques were used. There has been an increase in the visibility and accessibility of EC in the past few years among youth. Compared with conventional cigarettes (CC), youth indicated that they would be more willing to use EC under their peer influence. This was motivated by the perception that EC were less harmful. Among youth EC are perceived as less harmful, easier to access and use than CC. Youth do not appear to have received much education about EC. However, they were not convinced that EC were risk free. Clear and unambiguous education about the risk of engaging in any form of smoking/vaping and enforcement of access restrictions appear to be required.

Overview of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems: A Systematic Review

“…192–194,214,288,325–327,332,335,336,338,353,354,361,369,372,374,382,384,389,390,446,448,449,453–457,461–464,467,471–474,476,477,484,485,488,490,492,493,495,502,503 In the U.S. and Great Britain, this belief has eroded over time with more individuals mistakenly believing ENDS are as harmful or more harmful that cigarettes. 391,414 Studies suggest that ENDS are also perceived as less addictive than cigarettes, 367,375,403,446 tools that may help users reduce or quit smoking, 320,327,330,338,357,374,448,453,455,458,461,464,467,481,483,485,486,488,493,495,499 less expensive than cigarettes, 335,338,447,455,456,472,499 and more convenient or easier to use than cigarettes.…”

“…Users also report using ENDS because they are less expensive than cigarettes, 145,194,332,337,338,341,350,353,358,372,389,395,455,456,459,472,502 for relapse prevention, 194,353,372 out of curiosity, 341,347,350,358,421,422,432,434,441,444,456,461,476 because they are accessible and convenient, 341,366,387,477 for social reasons, 341,347,363,387,434,444,461,502,504 and because they taste 337,358,426,472,477,496 or smell better than cigarettes. 341,353,389,459,461 Flavors are viewed as an attractive characteristic of ENDS, 345,433 and are a cited reason for vaping.…”

“…341,353,389,459,461 Flavors are viewed as an attractive characteristic of ENDS, 345,433 and are a cited reason for vaping. 332,341,350,456,466,477 …”

Associations Between Risk Perceptions and Cigarette, E-cigarette, and Dual-Product Use Among Canadian Adolescents

“…11 A 2015 qualitative study also found that 12-to 17-year-old Canadians perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful than combustible cigarettes. 12 Many previous studies have examined associations between tobacco product use and the perceived risks of use. Amrock et al 11 found that cigarette and e-cigarette use were each associated with a lower perception of harm and addictiveness.…”

A call to end the epidemic of adolescent E-cigarette use

“…Harm perceptions of tobacco products are associated with adolescents’ initiation and continued use of tobacco products (Chaffee et al, 2015; Halpern-Felsher et al, 2004; Song et al, 2009). Indeed, adolescents perceive lower harm from using e-cigarettes than smoking combustible cigarettes (Barrington-Trimis et al, 2015; Hammal and Finegan, 2016). Low harm perceptions of e-cigarettes are also associated with increased e-cigarette use among adolescents (Ambrose et al, 2014; Roditis et al, 2016).…”