Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the impact of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) on young people's smoking and vaping behavior in the UK. The study reports findings from semi-structured group interviews conducted with Year 10 students in England and Wales and S3 students in Scotland. The interviews explored perceptions of e-cigarettes and tobacco, as well as similarities and differences between them. This summary will highlight the key points of the study design, major findings, and main message.
Key Points:
* The study was conducted as part of an ongoing evaluation of the impact of the TPD on youth smoking and e-cigarette use.
* Seven schools across Wales, Scotland, and England were recruited, representing a range of urban/rural locations and socio-economic compositions.
* Twenty-one group interviews took place across 7 schools, comprising small single-sex friendship groups of 2 -6 young people.
* Pupils were not selected based on their own smoking behavior or susceptibility but provided insights into normalization processes from the perspectives of a diverse cross-section of young people.
* Participants clearly differentiated between tobacco and e-cigarettes, rejecting the term "e-cigarette" in favor of alternatives such as "vapes."
* Experimental or occasional use of e-cigarettes was common and generally approved of within social activity with peers, while regular use outside of this context was widely disapproved of.
* Increased prevalence of e-cigarettes did not challenge strongly negative views of smoking or reduce perceived harms caused by it, with disapproval of smoking remaining high.
* Nicotine use was variable, with flavor a stronger driver for choice of e-liquid, and interest more generally.
Main Message:
The study suggests that young people differentiate between vaping and smoking, including styles and reasons for use. The absence of marketing awareness and continued strong disapproval of smoking provide limited support for some of the potential mechanisms through which e-cigarettes may renormalize smoking. However, caution over nicotine exposure is still necessary. Overall, the findings indicate that the TPD legislation may be effective in denormalizing smoking and preventing the renormalization of smoking through e-cigarette use among young people in the UK.
Citation
Brown R, Bauld L, de Lacy E, et al. A qualitative study of e-cigarette emergence and the potential for renormalisation of smoking in UK youth. The International journal on drug policy. 2020;75:102598. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.11.006
