Youth’s engagement and perceptions of disposable e-cigarettes: a UK focus group study

Abstract

ObjectivesEvidence suggests that use of flavoured disposable electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is increasing. Considering the growing popularity and rapid evolution of e-cigarettes, we explored youth’s perceptions and engagement with disposable e-cigarettes.DesignTwenty focus groups were conducted between March and May 2022, with 82 youths aged 11–16 living in the Central belt of Scotland.MethodsYouths were asked about smoking and vaping behaviours and disposable e-cigarettes and were shown vaping-related images and videos from social media which were used to stimulate discussion about different messages, presentations and contextual features. Transcripts were imported into NVivo V.12, coded thematically, and analysed.ResultsYouths described disposable e-cigarettes as ‘cool’, ‘fashionable’ and enticing and viewed as a modern lifestyle ‘accessory’. Tank models were perceived as being used by older adults. Youths stated that disposable e-cigarettes were designed in a way to target youths and the brightly coloured devices and range of flavourings encouraged youths to want to try the products, particularly sweet flavourings. Participants perceived e-cigarettes to be less harmful compared with combustible cigarettes but noted the uncertainty of ingredients in disposable e-cigarettes.ConclusionsYouths distinguish between e-cigarettes with varying characteristics and social perceptions of users. These findings provide evidence that disposable e-cigarettes are attractive to youths. Future research is needed to understand the factors that contribute to youth perceptions of disposable e-cigarettes. Policymakers should work together to design and implement policies and strategies to prevent youth uptake of vaping.

Trends in long-term vaping among adults in England, 2013-2023

“…Disposables may appeal to young people for a variety of reasons, including their low cost, sleek design and branding, attractive in-store displays, and ease of access. [23][24][25] Policy options that may help to reduce young people's interest in vaping, without detracting from the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid, 26,27 include applying an excise tax to disposables to increase the price and make them less affordable, restricting branding across all e-cigarette products and packaging, and restricting the visibility and promotion of e-cigarettes in shops. 23 The second issue is that as of October 2023, half of long-term vapers are mainly or exclusively using disposables (and most are using them every day), which has a substantial environmental impact.…”

Nicotine strength of e-liquids used by adult vapers in Great Britain: a population survey 2016 to 2024

“…The proportion who said that the e-cigarette they mainly used contained nicotine but they did not know the strength increased in 2020 and 2021, from an average of 3.1% [2.4-4.1%] up to December 2019 to 8.5% [7.2-10.0%] by December 2021, then remained relatively stable at an average of 9.6% [8. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].5%] between January 2022 and January 2024 (Figure 1F). The proportion who did not know if the e-cigarette they mainly used contained nicotine was low (<2.5%) across the period (Figure 1G).…”

“…3 Mental health conditions were not collected after June 2023, so results are based on data collected between January 2022 and June 2023. 4 Self-reported ratings of the strength of urges to smoke in the past 24 hours among past-year smokers.…”

“…2 These products are easy to use, have colourful design and branding, come in a variety of flavours, and typically contain high levels of nicotine, delivered in a palatable nicotine-salts e-liquid. [4][5][6] They are also cheaper to buy than both cigarettes and refillable e-cigarettesone of the most popular brands with underage vapers, Elf Bar 600, can be found online for £2.99 (US$3.80, €3.50) and in convenience stores and supermarkets for £5.99 (US$7.70, €7.00)making them more affordable for experimental use.…”

“…2 Weighted row percentages 3. Participants who described their gender in another way were excluded from analyses by gender due to low numbers 4. Mental health conditions were not assessed after June 2023, so results are based on aggregated data across January 2022 -June 2023 5.…”