Open AccessExploring Attitudes of Children 12–17 Years of Age Toward Electronic Cigarettes
Author(s) -
Fadi Hammal,
Barry A. Finegan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of community health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1573-3610
pISSN - 0094-5145
DOI - 10.1007/s10900-016-0178-6
Subject(s) - youth smoking , focus group , visibility , perception , psychology , environmental health , peer influence , medicine , social psychology , medical education , developmental psychology , public health , business , tobacco control , nursing , geography , marketing , neuroscience , meteorology
The purpose of this study is to explore electronic cigarettes (EC) use among youth. Focus group sessions with youth (aged 12-17) were held to explore their knowledge and attitudes about EC use. Content analysis techniques were used. There has been an increase in the visibility and accessibility of EC in the past few years among youth. Compared with conventional cigarettes (CC), youth indicated that they would be more willing to use EC under their peer influence. This was motivated by the perception that EC were less harmful. Among youth EC are perceived as less harmful, easier to access and use than CC. Youth do not appear to have received much education about EC. However, they were not convinced that EC were risk free. Clear and unambiguous education about the risk of engaging in any form of smoking/vaping and enforcement of access restrictions appear to be required.
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