An interpretative phenomenological analysis of discontinued use of the e-cigarette.

Introduction:
This text is a research article examining the reasons why young adult smokers discontinue the use of e-cigarettes. The study aims to explore the experiences of these smokers in order to understand their motivation and barriers to using e-cigarettes, and the factors that contribute to their return to cigarette smoking. The article reports on a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the experiences of six participants who tried e-cigarettes for at least seven days and then returned to smoking.

Key Points:

* The study found that participants held conflicting attitudes about using e-cigarettes, which undermined their attempts to quit smoking and led to the discontinuation of e-cigarette use.
* These conflicts centered on participants' discomfort with the e-cigarette or vaping identity, lack of abstinence self-efficacy, and navigation of barriers to e-cigarette use.
* Participants identified more as smokers when using e-cigarettes, but also welcomed the non-smoker outward appearance that using e-cigarettes provided.
* Participants also had concerns about their public image while using e-cigarettes and felt judged and stigmatized by the public.
* Participants had low quitting self-efficacy and lacked confidence in their ability to abstain from smoking.
* Participants' initial motivation to use e-cigarettes was centered on the need to try to quit for their significant others, rather than for themselves.
* Participants were not prepared to continue vaping in high-risk situations, such as social situations, and lacked coping strategies to remain abstinent.

Main Message:
The main message of this study is that there are complex interplay of factors that contribute to the discontinuation of e-cigarette use among young adult smokers. These factors include conflicting attitudes about using e-cigarettes, lack of abstinence self-efficacy, and participants' initial motivation to use e-cigarettes. Additionally, participants' lack of preparedness in high-risk situations, such as social situations, and their lack of commitment to quit contributes to relapse. Understanding these factors can help in developing more tailored support for those who wish to quit smoking by using e-cigarettes.

Alexis-Garsee C, Meehan S, van den Akker O. An interpretative phenomenological analysis of discontinued use of the e-cigarette. Journal of Smoking Cessation. 2019;14(2):104-111. doi:10.1017/jsc.2018.21