JUUL in school: JUUL electronic cigarette use patterns, reasons for use, and social normative perceptions among college student ever users

Abstract

Background: JUUL electronic cigarettes have surged in popularity since their emergence on the market in 2015. JUUL is slim and simple in design and is capable of delivering cigarette-like levels of nicotine. However, little research has examined JUUL use patterns, reasons for use, and normative perceptions of JUUL among young adults. Methods: Participants were college students (N = 243) who reported ever using a JUUL electronic cigarette. Eligible participants completed a survey assessing JUUL use patterns, reasons for JUUL use, and normative perceptions of JUUL. Results: Most participants reported using JUUL once or twice (47.7%) and almost one-third reported using JUUL daily or monthly (29.6%). Overall, participants reported a low level of nicotine dependence (M electronic cigarette HONC = 0.93, SD = 2.04). Cool Mint was the most preferred flavor (35.8%) followed by Mango (12.0%). The top reasons for use were because "friends were using it" (27.0%) and "curiosity" (19.4%). Nearly half (49.8%) of participants reported that they would tell all five of their five closest friends that they use JUUL. Only 10.7% reported a belief that none of their friends would approve of their JUUL use. Conclusions: The high percentage of daily and monthly JUUL users coupled with the relatively high rates of perceived acceptability of use indicates the possibility of high uptake among college students. Findings also suggest college students perceive JUUL as highly acceptable and that their friend's use and curiosity were primary motivators of their initial use, indicating the importance of peer influence in college student JUUL use.

“Taking Up a New Problem”: Context and Determinants of Pod-Mod Electronic Cigarette Use Among College Students

“…While the students in our study described several reasons for vaping, peers and social influence seemed to play the largest role. This is also consistent with previous studies, which have described the importance of friends and peers on electronic cigarette use (Harrell et al, 2019; Leavens et al, 2019; Wallace & Roche, 2018). Prior studies on cigarette smoking have suggested that while youth may not feel directly pressured to smoke, an “unspoken pressure” exists when they are around peers who do (Clark et al, 2002).…”

“…College students “have historically been at the forefront of societal changes in substance use that later materialize within the general population” (Sutfin et al, 2013, p. 3). In a previous study, the most common reason for JUUL use among college students was because their friends had used, and nearly half of students reported their closest friends would approve of their use (Leavens et al, 2019).…”

“…Most of the qualitative studies cited above use focus group discussions. Interviews allow for a more candid discussion of ECIGs, which is important given the impact of social influence on ECIG perceptions and behavior (Leavens et al, 2019). Furthermore, few have addressed dependence in their analysis of themes.…”

E-cigarette flavored pods induce inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and DNA damage in lung epithelial cells and monocytes

“…These pod mod devices with USB charging capability and alluring flavors is a contributing factor to initiate vaping, especially among the youth 8,9 . JUUL pods are comprised of a heat resistant plastic enclosing the atomizer with a stainless steel vapor path, silica wick, and nichrome coil heater ( Supplementary Fig.…”

The Effect of Graphic Health Warning Labels Placed on the ENDS Device on Young Adult Users’ Experience, Exposure and Intention to Use: A Pilot Study

“…It was also limited in its assessment of the effect of GHWL, for example, it did not address the effects of GHWLs on bystanders who will be exposed to such GHWL but not through personal use. Such a prospect is likely to enhance the total population effect of applying GHWLs on ENDS devices, particularly given that peer influence is important for ENDS use (Leavens et al, 2019) and that conversations sparked by GHWLs are one of how they impact quit attempts (Morgan et al, 2018). Moreover, participants followed a fixed order of sessions to avoid any carryover effect (from GHWL to no GHWL), rather than randomized to the study conditions.…”