An Analysis of Associations Between Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Users

• Published in: Respiratory care Vol. 65; no. 3; pp. 355 - 361
• Main Authors: Tamulevicius, Nauris, Martinasek, Mary P, Moss, Sarah J, Pfeffer, Ines, Gibson-Young, Linda M, Yahaya, Musa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Daedalus Enterprises, Inc 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Adolescent; Cigarettes; Comparative analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Education; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems - statistics & numerical data; End users; Female; Germany; Health; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Status; Humans; Information management; Male; Marketing; Nervous system agents; Nicotine; Patient education; Peer pressure; Planning; Reason; Smoking cessation; Smoking Cessation - psychology; South Africa; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; Universities; Vaping - psychology; Young Adult; Youth smoking; United States; South Africa; Germany; Florida; health status; reason for first ends use; student population; harm perception; vaping; electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS); e-cig
• ISSN: 0020-1324; 1943-3654
• DOI: 10.4187/respcare.07172

Electronic nicotine-delivery systems have been increasing in prevalence among young adults. Although these devices are marketed to aid in quit smoking, young adults who do not smoke traditional cigarettes are using these devices. This study explored associations between individuals' quit type (ie, no plans to quit, plans to quit, or quit > 6 months ago) and perceived health status, perception of harm compared to cigarettes, perception of secondhand vapor harm, and reasons for first use. We utilized a cross-sectional study design using a 33-item electronic survey questionnaire. The total sample size was 2,792. Out of these the ENDS users were 1,217. The survey was distributed to university students in 5 areas in 3 countries: the United States (ie, Florida, Alabama, and Illinois), Germany (ie, Hamburg) and South Africa (ie, Potchefstroom). Quantitative data analysis indicated that, regardless of quit status, there was a general lack of knowledge regarding secondhand vapor effects. Additionally, young adults are utilizing these products primarily due to peer influence and stress relief. Harm perception may factor into quit attempts using electronic nicotine-delivery systems. Education provided by respiratory therapists (and to respiratory therapy students) would be valuable as they inform patients and communities of the scholarly literature on vaping devices.