Open Access“Taking Up a New Problem”: Context and Determinants of Pod-Mod Electronic Cigarette Use Among College Students
Author(s) -
Christine M. Kava,
Eric K. Soule,
Laura Seegmiller,
Emily Gold,
William Snipes,
Taya Westfield,
Noah Wick,
Rima Afifi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
qualitative health research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.303
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1552-7557
pISSN - 1049-7323
DOI - 10.1177/1049732320971236
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , context (archaeology) , graduation (instrument) , electronic cigarette , psychological intervention , addiction , psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , medical education , qualitative research , psychiatry , geography , sociology , social science , pathology , geometry , mathematics , archaeology
In this article, we explore the context and determinants of pod-mod electronic cigarette (ECIG) use among college students aged 18 to 24 in the United States. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 55 students ( M age = 20 years, 56% female, 65% White) on three campuses in the Northwest, Midwest, and Southeast. We performed a thematic analysis. Students described ECIG use by peers, increased ECIG exposure and prevalence in college, and school-related stress as reasons for vaping. Pod-mod features such as convenience, design, easy concealment, and flavors made vaping more appealing. Negative aspects of vaping included addiction, cost, and possible health consequences. Most viewed vaping as a college behavior and intended to quit after graduation. Our results show that the college environment plays a major role in young adult ECIG use. These findings can inform the development of targeted interventions to prevent and control uptake of ECIGs by young adults.