Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
Background: Smoking uptake has been declining in young adults (16-24 year olds) in the UK. However, concerns have been expressed that the emergence of e-cigarettes, while offering the potential to reduce smoking in adults, may have a negative impact on smoking in young people. Particular concern has focused on the possible gateway effect of e-cigarettes. Also that the increased visibility of e-cigarettes and the messages and imagery used in e-cigarette marketing, which often echoes that used in now banned tobacco advertising, has the potential to renormalize smoking. However, little research has been undertaken to explore how young people and young adults perceive and experience e-cigarettes, and how this may be influencing social norms around smoking. Aims: The aim of this project was to explore young adults' (16-24 year olds) understandings of and engagement with e-cigarettes, and whether and in what ways this may be influencing social norms around smoking tobacco. Methods: This qualitative study undertook interviews with small friendship groups of young people aged between 16-24 years. Purposive sampling will aim to include a diverse range of participants who are ever-smokers, including those who have used and not used e-cigarettes, males and females, different age groups and educational and occupational groups. The study focused primarily on 16-24 year olds living in disadvantaged areas as they are most at risk of becoming tobacco smokers. Fieldwork took place August 2015-April 2016 in Central Scotland. Twenty-two friendship groups of 2-4 participants and 11 individual interviews were conducted of which 16 were included in this data collection. Thirty-nine of the 72 participants were female. 31 participants were not in education, employment or training (NEETs), 19 were in education/training, and 22 were working or volunteering. 44 participants were smokers, 13 ex-smokers, nine ever-smokers and five never smokers. The smoking status of one participant was unclear. Most participants (60), had tried e-cigarettes.
Main Topics:
Disadvantaged young adults' perceptions and understandings of electronic cigarettes
Simple random sample
Purposive selection/case studies
Face-to-face interview
Focus group
