Perceptions of e-cigarettes among young adults in the United States

With the rapid increase in e-cigarette use among young adults, it is imperative that healthcare professionals gain insight into their perceptions, knowledge, and motivations for using these products.

The motivations that push young people to vape

A recent study[1] found that young adults continue to hold misconceptions about the health risks associated with e-cigarettes. Because of their affordability, ease of availability, and wide variety, as well as their potential use where other tobacco products are not permitted, young users perceive e-cigarettes as less addictive than traditional cigarettes.

Many young adults use e-cigarettes as a positive sensory experience to which taste contributes significantly; this confirms that flavor is an important motivator for their use, a notion that is increasingly well documented and is beginning to guide public health policies.

As with tobacco, peer influence is a major motivator for trying e-cigarettes. In fact, two studies[2]-[3] have already observed a feeling of “social improvement” (the feeling of being loved/appreciated) through its use with better acceptance by their peers if they vaped.

Lack of knowledge contributes to vaping epidemic

It is legitimate to prevent young people from vaping nicotine, because its consumption induces a strong dependence in them, with consequences aggravated by the fact that the human brain is not truly adult until around the age of 25.

In addition to regulations aimed at effectively controlling the marketing of manufacturers targeting young people, it is essential that young people have the necessary accurate knowledge of the risks associated with the use of electronic cigarettes, which is not currently the case.

Keywords: Youth, vaping, United States ©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] APA Tremblay, Beth MSN, RN; Turk, Melanie T. PhD, RN; Cooper, Maria R. PhD; Zoucha, Richard PhD, PMHCNS-BC, CTN-A, FAAN Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Young Adults About Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems in the United States, The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing: July 30, 2020 doi: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000731 [2] Pokhrel P, Little MA, Fagan P, Muranaka N, Herzog TA, Electronic cigarette use outcome expectations among college students.,Addict Behav. 2014;39(6):1062–1065. [3] Pokhrel P, Fagan P, Herzog TA, et al. Social media e-cigarette exposure and e-cigarette expectations and use among young adults, Addict Behav. 2018;78:51–58. National Committee Against Smoking |