Vape shops: who uses them and what do they do?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Tobacco Control
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Vape shops are prevalent sources for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and related products.
• Understanding vape shop product offerings, marketing, and their role in smoking cessation is limited.
• Customer tobacco and e-cigarette use patterns within these environments require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of vape shops in smoking cessation.
• To understand customer demographics and product usage within vape shops.
• To assess the capacity and willingness of vape shop staff to provide smoking cessation support.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 41 shop staff and 197 customers in the East Midlands, UK.
• Data collected included product information, marketing practices, and customer smoking/vaping behaviors.
• Staff perceptions and reported practices regarding smoking cessation advice were also gathered.

Main Results:

• 84% of customers were current e-cigarette users, with 78% having quit smoking.
• Over half of vapers reduced their nicotine levels over time.
• 90% of staff reported customers asking for cessation information, though less than half provided advice.

Conclusions:

• The majority of vape shop customers are former smokers who have successfully transitioned to e-cigarettes.
• Vape shop staff are positioned to offer product information and smoking cessation support.
• Further research should explore the feasibility and appeal of formal smoking cessation interventions within vape shops.