The Social Norms and Beliefs of Teenage Male Electronic Cigarette Use

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study on the social norms and beliefs of teenage male electronic cigarette use. The study aimed to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of teenage boys towards e-cigarettes. The summary includes the study design, major findings, and implications of the research.

Key Points:

* The study used a qualitative approach to investigate the normative beliefs about e-cigarette use among a sample of African American and Hispanic American male e-cigarette smokers aged 15 to 17 years.
* The majority of respondents reported that they used e-cigarettes because of expeditious consumption and concealment.
* The most common places in which respondents self-reported using e-cigarettes were everywhere, in school bathrooms, at home, and in school staircases.
* Respondents stated that e-cigarettes are popular because they are accessible, healthier than cigarettes, and aesthetically pleasing.
* The study found that friends are salient social reinforcers of e-cigarette use, and the majority of respondents stated that their friends had high social approval for e-cigarette use.
* The study is limited by the number and types of questions asked of a small sample of participating students.
* The data uncovered in this research offer potential directions for larger qualitative and quantitative research studies related to e-cigarette use among youth.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the social norms and beliefs surrounding e-cigarette use among teenagers. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes are perceived as accessible, healthier than cigarettes, and aesthetically pleasing, which may contribute to their popularity among teenagers. The study also underscores the influence of friends and social approval on e-cigarette use. The research has implications for prevention and cessation educational interventions, as understanding the social norms and beliefs surrounding e-cigarette use can inform public health strategies to reduce e-cigarette use among youth.

Peters, Ronald J., Angela Meshack, Mi-Ting Lin, Mandy Hill, and Susan Abughosh. “The Social Norms and Beliefs of Teenage Male Electronic Cigarette Use.” Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse 12, no. 4 (October 1, 2013): 300–307. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2013.819310.