Informing the development of adolescent e-cigarette cessation interventions: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Adolescent e-cigarette use is prevalent, with limited data on cessation strategies.
• Understanding adolescent motivations for use and cessation is crucial for intervention development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore adolescent reasons for e-cigarette use and cessation.
• To identify adolescent experiences and barriers related to quitting e-cigarettes.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing six focus groups with current adolescent e-cigarette users and two with former users.
• Data collected through a focus group guide and analyzed using an iterative approach to identify themes.

Main Results:

• Adolescents cited social factors and stress relief as primary reasons for e-cigarette use.
• Discontinuation was linked to cost, health concerns, and addiction; quitting methods included abrupt cessation and peer-group avoidance.
• Key barriers to quitting included social pressures, easy access, and low motivation, with negative mood as a common withdrawal symptom.

Conclusions:

• E-cigarette cessation interventions for adolescents must incorporate motivation-building strategies.
• Interventions should equip youth with coping mechanisms for social influences, stress, negative mood, and withdrawal.
• Addressing school-based social norms and reducing environmental cues for e-cigarette use may enhance cessation efforts.