Young people’s use of disposable vapes: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background and aimsYouth use of disposable vapes has increased markedly in the United Kingdom in recent years, yet little is known about the motivations, experiences and perceptions of young people themselves. This study aimed to explore young people’s experiences and use of disposable vapes.MethodsThis was a qualitative study recruiting young people reporting regularly vaping disposables, collecting data via dyad guided, individual and group interviews. Data analysis was theoretically informed by the Social Ecological Model. Inductive and deductive coding approaches were used, with resolution of coded interpretations by consensus.ResultsTwenty‐nine young people aged 16–20 years participated in qualitative interviews. At the individual level, participants discussed how characteristics of disposable vapes were important to them—particularly price, accessibility and the attractive designs, colours, names and flavours. Young people frequently engaged in both vaping and tobacco smoking, seeing the behaviours as interchangeable dependent on context, and having inaccurate relative harm perceptions of vaping compared with smoking. Experimentation was widespread and many used vapes as a way of managing stress and anxiety. Vaping was positioned as a social behaviour, common among peers. Parental influence on vaping behaviour was minimal, although vaping initiation could be influenced by family vaping norms. Culturally, vaping was a widespread normalized behaviour. Young people were aware of media reports and potential harms, but were less aware of smoking related harms as a consequence.ConclusionsDisposable vapes appear to be attractive and accessible to young people in the United Kingdom. Vaping is normalized in this population, despite being seen as potentially damaging to health, and vaping and smoking are engaged in interchangeably. Underage sales of vapes are reportedly widespread. Strict regulation, such as banning products or increasing prices, may prompt UK youth to switch from vaping to smoking.

Trends and patterns of dual use of combustible tobacco and e-cigarettes among adults in England: a population study, 2016-2024

“…For example, older adults who dual use may be more likely to smoke daily than younger dual users as their smoking habits and routines may be more entrenched, whereas younger adults may see smoking and vaping as more interchangeable. 14 People who have been vaping for longer may transition away from more regular smoking towards more regular vaping, and those who perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful than smoking may be more likely to vape more regularly than they smoke compared with those who perceive the harms to be similar or who believe vaping is more harmful.…”