To smoke or not to smoke? A qualitative study among young adults

The transition from cigarette smoking to the exclusive or partial use of e-cigarettes: A multi-stage mixed methods study among French university students

BACKGROUND

Few studies have estimated the frequency of e-cigarette use by smoking status among French young adults, and how those who smoke tobacco start and continue to use e-cigarettes. Our aim was to describe e-cigarette use among students who smoked tobacco.

METHODS

A multi-stage, mixed methods study was conducted at the University of Bordeaux between September 2018 and March 2020. The study consisted of three different sub-studies: 1) a cross-sectional study across five campuses (n = 211), 2) a qualitative study (n = 30), and 3) an online cross-sectional study (n = 415). These were combined to form an explanatory sequential design (stage 1) and then a convergent parallel design (stage 2).

RESULTS

Although 41 % of students had tried e-cigarettes at least once in their lifetime, only 7 % were current users. Both e-cigarette experimentation and current use (i.e. occasional or daily use) were mainly found among current and former smokers. Student smokers started using e-cigarettes out of curiosity, with other vapers. Two main factors were identified as intervening in the transition from smoking to sustained vaping: the perception of smoking as problematic and personal commitment to e-cigarette use (i.e. by buying their own device, acquiring technical skills, and increasing the frequency of use). Among current vapers, exclusive vapers and dual users differed in terms of their smoking goals, the role they attributed to e-cigarettes, their identity development and their perceived social or personal benefits.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the complexity of the decision-making process for transitioning from smoking to sustained vaping among university students. This required a socially supportive environment and some intrinsic factors, of which the problematization of smoking and personal commitment to vaping were key factors.

Building the African American/Black Community's Capacity to Elucidate Factors for High Smoking Rates in Jackson, MS: Results from Implementing a Community-Led Needs Assessment

INTRODUCTION

Although smoking has decreased dramatically over the last 50 years, reductions are uneven by race and income, specifically in the Southern United States. There is a need for intentional collaboration with communities located where large tobacco disparities exist to make lasting change. Using community-based participatory research principles, we provided intensive capacity building to a community advisory group (CAG) of 14 Jackson, MS, residents to conduct a community-led needs assessment. The aim of the community-led needs assessment was to investigate firsthand why the community smokes and the impacts of smoking-giving the CAG voice and choice to work towards reducing tobacco-related harms and inequities.

METHODS

From October 2020 to September 2021, CAG members conducted thirteen interviews and nine focus groups, reaching 54 residents. We analyzed the data using a thematic and in vivo approach.

RESULTS

Participants reported smoking is used to cope with systemic socio-economic issues (e.g., racism, poverty). Smoking is normalized in the community through continued use, ease of purchase, visibility of tobacco retailers, and lack of conversations or questioning surrounding smoking. Participants felt that peer and family use, addiction, and inaccessible smoking resources were the most influential factors driving smoking behaviors.

CONCLUSION

This community engagement approach empowered residents to design and implement a comprehensive needs assessment resulting in rich data-a needed approach for a community experiencing enduring health inequities. Communities need to be engaged and invested in from the beginning as equal partners to learn, investigate, and develop community-relevant and innovative solutions to address tobacco social norms.

Understanding college students' experiences using e-cigarettes and marijuana through qualitative interviews

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the contexts in which college students use e-cigarettes and marijuana, perceptions about the benefits and harms, and health effects of use.

PARTICIPANTS

College student e-cigarette and marijuana ever users (n = 20; 18-21 years old) from the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System (TATAMS).

METHODS

Participants completed a one-hour long online interview about their experiences using e-cigarettes and marijuana. Thematic content analysis in NVivo identified prominent themes.

RESULTS

Vaping nicotine and marijuana were preferred and perceived as normal, trendy and useful in circumventing smoke-free campus policies. Preference for nicotine versus marijuana fluctuates during the academic school year in response to campus restrictions and work and school-related activities. College students commonly experienced health effects (shortness of breath, wheezing) attributed to vaping, did not perceive their use as very harmful, and perceived their use as a college-related phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings have implications for college-based health education, resources, and smoke-free policies.

Changes in Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption in France during the Spring 2020 Lockdown: Results of the Coviprev and Viquop Surveys

This study aims to describe changes in tobacco and alcohol consumption in France during the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 and its gradual lifting in May. The associated factors and the reasons reported explaining those changes are also studied. Data came from five waves of the CoviPrev online cross-sectional survey (approximately n = 2000 per wave) and the ViQuoP qualitative survey (n = 60), which took place between April and June. Most people self-reported stable consumption compared to before the lockdown, but 27% to 32% of smokers and 10% to 16% of drinkers had increased their consumption, depending on the wave of the survey. Boredom, stress and the search for pleasure were the main reasons reported. While the sociodemographic factors associated with an increase in tobacco and alcohol use differed according to the product and month, poor mental health was associated with an increase in both products in April and May. Between 10% and 19% of smokers and 22% to 25% of drinkers reported having reduced their consumption for their health or through constraints. The measures taken to manage the spring 2020 epidemic appear to have had contrasting impacts on tobacco and alcohol consumption in France. People whose lifestyles and mental health was most affected appear to have modified their consumption more frequently.

[Evaluation of national communication contents on COVID-19 prevention: use of a mixed method]

INTRODUCTION

The challenges of communicating with the population during a health crisis are multiple, with the ultimate objective of getting as many people as possible to apply preventive measures.

AIM

The objective of this article is to present the results of an evaluation of the communication contents on COVID-19 prevention broadcast by Santé publique France (the national public health agency) on March 2020, for the general population. Two studies, one quantitative and one qualitative, were carried out during the first lockdown. The "Coronavirus Alert" communication campaign then included four media contents (spots and posters) describing health protective behaviors and signs of the disease.

RESULTS

Recall of the campaign was particularly high, with nine in ten spontaneously citing messages from the campaign. Over 90% found it easy to understand and useful, although 20% found it induced anxiety. The declared impact on behavior was also very high, with 97% of people affirming to be encouraged by the media contents to implement health protective behaviors. There was, however, lower adherence to the campaign among men and low-income people.The qualitative study clarified some of the results: the clarity of the materials was attributed to the pictograms illustrating the health protective behaviors, and the tone of the spots was judged appropriate to the seriousness of the health situation.

CONCLUSION

These studies highlight significant exposure to the supports tested and a positive perception of them. Their lessons were useful in continuing the dissemination of the health protection tools produced by Santé publique France.

Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Smoking as a public health challenge is globally considered the main risk factor of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Knowing factors contributing to smoking commencement and cessation is the necessary step to develop prevention strategies to combat this issue. To date, no study has been conducted in Fiji, therefore this study aimed to explore the reasons adult smokers initiate smoking and cessation in Fiji.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted among 35 current smokers who were interviewed between 1 May and 31 July 2020 in Suva, Fiji. Three health centers were chosen randomly to collect data and purposive sampling was applied to reach study participants. A semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire was used to guide the interviews. The content of in-depth interviews was transcribed and data were analyzed using content and thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that most of the participants were male (57%), I-taukei (77%), single (54%), had attained tertiary education level (69%), were of Christian religion (77%), and unemployed (63%). Two main themes were identified including: 'factors affecting smoking initiation' and 'factors affecting smoking cessation'. 'Peer pressure', 'smoking myth', 'smoking as a fun', 'unpleasant event in life' and 'smoking establishes friendships' were factors affecting initiation of smoking; while 'knowledge on smoking harms', 'financial constraints', 'desire to improve health', 'constant request from family members', 'desire to save time', 'religious factors' and 'cultural factors', were factors affecting smoking cessation among smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the main factors affecting smoking among adult smokers in Fiji. Considering these factors in future health planning will help policy makers and decision makers to develop tailored interventions to combat this health issue.