Hookah and Electronic Inhalant Device Use and Perceptions Among African American Youth and Young Adults: Are We Asking the Right Questions?

Abstract

Objectives. Survey items used in surveillance systems to assess the use of emerging products like hookah and electronic inhalant devices (EIDs) may not match definitions used by high-risk populations. This qualitative study explored how African American youth and young adults (YYAs) (1) use hookah and EIDs and (2) identify patterns in the ways they describe and organize these products. Design. Individual in-person interviews were conducted among a sample of continuation high school and vocational school students in southern California. Participation was limited to those who had ever tried at least one tobacco product, self-identified as African American, and were between the ages of 14 and 26 years ( n = 28). We conducted a content analysis to identify patterns in perceptions and use of these products. Results. African American YYAs recognized and described traditional hookah based on physical attributes, but for EIDs, including e-cigarettes, e-hookah, and vape pens, YYAs focused on reasons for using the product. Three primary categories emerged for reasons YYA used specific products: nicotine content and quitting, social facilitation, and use with marijuana. E-cigarettes were identified as quitting aids and as having nicotine but were not considered addictive. The term hookah recalled both the traditional and electronic pen-type products for YYAs. The terms vapes, hookah, wax pens, and others are used in the context of describing product use with marijuana. Conclusions. A better understanding of why African American YYAs use these products is needed to develop better measures for accurate rates of use, uncover differences in use between product types, and to develop effective prevention messaging.

“It's nice to just be”: A qualitative study on the meaning-imbued reality of waterpipe smoking among young adults in Sweden

“…Our analysis highlighted similar aspects of waterpipe smoking as previous waterpipefocused research, such as the social character of waterpipe smoking (as in e.g., Arshad et al, 2019;Kader et al, 2021;Sakuma et al, 2020), its playfulness and pleasurable sensual qualities (cf. for example Dadipoor et al, 2019;Kotecha et al, 2016;Liu et al, 2021) and the notion of waterpipe smoking's reduced harmfulness compared to cigarettes (as in e.g., Rezk-Hanna et al, 2014;Roskin & Aveyard, 2009;Sadeghi et al, 2022).…”

“…The experience of waterpipe smoking has hitherto been examined by several explorative and descriptive qualitative studies, aiming at the level of manifest content. These studies focus on (presumably) ethnically diverse waterpipe smokers, examining their beliefs and views ( Griffiths et al, 2011 ; Kotecha et al, 2016 ; Rezk-Hanna et al, 2014 ; Sakuma et al, 2020 ), attitudes ( Arshad et al, 2019 ; Dadipoor et al, 2019 ; Kotecha et al, 2016 ; Rezk-Hanna et al, 2014 ; Statens folkhälsoinstitut [SFHI], 2010), reasons for smoking ( Arshad et al, 2019 ; Dadipoor et al, 2019 ; Kader et al, 2021 ; Nakkash et al, 2011 ; Sadeghi et al, 2022 ) as well as the allures and appeal of waterpipe smoking ( Liu et al, 2021 ; Roskin & Aveyard, 2009 ).…”

“…The studies depict waterpipe smoking as a socially promoted, or even coerced, affordable peer-activity (e.g., Arshad et al, 2019 ; Griffiths et al, 2011 ; Kader et al, 2021 ; Kotecha et al, 2016 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Sakuma et al, 2020 ; SFHI, 2010) or a playful, sometimes exoticised feel-good pastime with pleasurable sensual qualities, often connected to a certain place and time (e.g., Dadipoor et al, 2019 ; Kotecha et al, 2016 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Nakkash et al, 2011 ; Sadeghi et al, 2022 ; SFHI, 2010). Moreover, the practice is presented as usually being perceived as less dangerous by young adults, especially when compared to cigarette smoking (e.g., Arshad et al, 2019 ; Dadipoor et al, 2019 ; Griffiths et al, 2011 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Rezk-Hanna et al, 2014 ; Roskin & Aveyard, 2009 ; Sadeghi et al, 2022 ).…”

Cannabis Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults: a Scoping Review

“…Seven studies reported on youth and young adults’ reasons for cannabis vaping [ 50 , 178 , 181 – 183 , 187 , 193 ]. Reasons included that vaping cannabis is safer, healthier, and/or less physically irritating than cigarettes or combustible tobacco; to reduce or quit smoking cigarettes or other combustible tobacco products, as well as cannabis; to control dosage or amount of cannabis consumed and/or to maintain a sustained high; experimentation; mixing with flavors; friends’ use; because cannabis vaping is “trendy” and “cool”; because it is enjoyable; stress relief; relaxation; sleep improvement; mood improvement; and its discreetness or ability to circumvent smoking bans.…”

The emerging norms of e-cigarette use among adolescents: A meta-ethnography of qualitative evidence

“…Studies were also excluded where the available amount and/or quality of data was insufficient for a meta-ethnography. This included studies with limited data specific to participants aged under 18 (Akre & Suris, 2017;Antin, Hess, et al, 2019;Kim & Lee, 2017;Romijnders et al, 2019;Rooke et al, 2016;Sakuma et al, 2019;Satghare et al, 2018).…”