E-cigarette cessation interest and quit attempts among young adults reporting exclusive e-cigarette use or dual use with other tobacco products: How can we reach them?

Authors

Daisy Le, Department of Policy, Populations, and Systems, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States.
Annie C. Ciceron, Department of Policy, Populations, and Systems, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States.
Katelyn F. Romm, TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK, United States.
Michelle E. Clausen, Department of Policy, Populations, and Systems, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States.
Lorien C. Abroms, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States.
W Douglas Evans, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States.
Amanda L. Graham, Innovations Center, Truth Initiative, Washington DC, United States.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Journal

Tobacco prevention & cessation

Volume

9

DOI

10.18332/tpc/172416

Keywords

cessation; e-cigarettes; perceptions; vaping; young adults

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There is limited evidence to inform e-cigarette quitting interventions. This mixed-methods study examined: 1) e-cigarette and other tobacco product perceptions and cessation-related factors; and 2) potential behavioral intervention strategies among young adults reporting exclusive e-cigarette use or dual use with other tobacco products. METHODS: We analyzed Fall 2020 survey data from 726 participants reporting past 6-month e-cigarette use (mean age=24.15 years, 51.1% female, 38.5% racial/ethnic minority) from 6 US metropolitan areas and Spring 2021 qualitative interview data from a subset (n=40), comparing tobacco-related perceptions and cessation-related factors among those reporting exclusive use versus dual use. RESULTS: Among survey participants (35.5% exclusive e-cigarette use, 64.5% dual use), those reporting dual use indicated greater importance of quitting all tobacco or nicotine products (mean=5.28, SD=3.44 vs mean=4.65, SD=3.75, p=0.033), whereas those reporting exclusive use expressed greater confidence in quitting e-cigarettes (mean=7.59, SD=3.06 vs mean=7.08, SD=3.01, p=0.029) and all tobacco and nicotine products (mean=7.00, SD=3.16 vs mean=6.31, SD=3.13, p=0.008), as well as less favorable perceptions (i.e. more harmful to health and addictive, less socially acceptable) of cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco (p<0.05). Interview participants (50.0% exclusive e-cigarette use; 50.0% dual use) attributed previous failed e-cigarette quit attempts to their inability to cope with social influences, stress, and withdrawal symptoms. Although most expressed disinterest in quitting due to belief of eventually outgrowing e-cigarettes (among those reporting exclusive use) or unreadiness to abstain from nicotine (among those reporting dual use), many acknowledged the need for quitting interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Young adult e-cigarette cessation interventions should target risk perceptions, cessation barriers, and social influences/support.

APA Citation

Le, Daisy; Ciceron, Annie C.; Romm, Katelyn F.; Clausen, Michelle E.; Abroms, Lorien C.; Evans, W Douglas; Graham, Amanda L.; and Berg, Carla J., "E-cigarette cessation interest and quit attempts among young adults reporting exclusive e-cigarette use or dual use with other tobacco products: How can we reach them?" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 3796.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/3796

Department

Prevention and Community Health