A Deeper Dive into Young Adults’ Experiences with E-Cigarettes, E-Cigarette Cessation, and Transitioning to Cigarette Smoking

Abstract

Introduction: E-cigarette use among young adults is prevalent, with some voicing their desire to quit using e-cigarettes but needing support to do so. Young adults who use e-cigarettes are at risk for progressing to smoking combustible cigarettes, placing them at risk for severe health consequences. Limited research exists describing young adults’ lived experiences with using e-cigarettes, e-cigarette cessation, and progression to combustible cigarettes. Methods: Between July and August 2022, nine focus groups were conducted with 33 young adults who either (1) currently used e-cigarettes, (2) formerly used e-cigarettes, or (3) transitioned to cigarettes. Transcripts were coded and themes were identified independently by two research team members while a third researcher reviewed the coding and themes. Results: Participants described social influences, stress, and curiosity as primary reasons why they initiated e-cigarette use. The most reported negative experiences or consequences associated with e-cigarettes include the health effects, addiction, and financial costs. Participants who transitioned to cigarettes reported social influences, a desire to reduce or quit using e-cigarettes by replacing them with cigarettes, curiosity, and stress as the primary reasons for this progression to combustible cigarettes. Participants described barriers to quitting e-cigarettes, including social influences, withdrawal, and easy access to e-cigarettes, as well as facilitators of quitting, such as social support, change in environment, and finding healthier ways to manage stress. Conclusions: This qualitative work provides an in-depth look into factors that may be helpful in the development of prevention and intervention programs for both e-cigarette and combustible cigarette use in young individuals.

Keywords:

• Electronic cigarettes
• young adults
• focus groups
• smoking
• cigarettes, nicotine

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

We will make the dataset and associated documentation available outside our team under a data-sharing agreement that provides for (1) a commitment to using the data only for research purposes and to not identify any individual participant, (2) a commitment to securing the data using appropriate computer technology, and (3) a commitment to destroying or returning the data after analysis are completed. Contact the senior author if interested in obtaining data from this project.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a pilot grant awarded to Denise D. Tran by the Institute for Addiction Science of the University of Southern California.