Examining intention to quit using Juul among emerging adults

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Emerging adults, particularly college students, are a key demographic for Juul use.
• Understanding factors influencing cessation intention is crucial for developing effective interventions.
• The Theory of Planned Behavior provides a framework for examining behavioral intentions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the intention to quit Juul among first-year university students.
• To identify factors associated with quitting intention, including Theory of Planned Behavior constructs.
• To explore the moderating role of descriptive norms on quitting intention.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 182 first-year university students reporting current Juul use in November 2018.
• Data collected included sociodemographics, social influences, usage patterns, quit intention, and Theory of Planned Behavior variables (attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control).
• Statistical analyses were performed to examine relationships between variables and intention to quit.

Main Results:

• Approximately 25% of participants reported current Juul use, with nearly 50% intending to quit within six months.
• Recent quit attempts were the sole factor significantly related to intention to quit.
• While two models showed associations with quitting intention, only perceived behavioral control emerged as individually significant.

Conclusions:

• College campuses require targeted cessation campaigns and interventions for Juul users.
• Interventions may not need to be highly tailored, suggesting broader approaches could be effective.
• Further research should explore the specific mechanisms influencing cessation in this population.