Is vaping cessation like smoking cessation? a qualitative study exploring the responses of youth and young adults who vape e-cigarettes.

Introduction:
This text is a qualitative study exploring the responses of youth and young adults who vape e-cigarettes to understand the nature and extent to which vaping is similar to smoking. The study aims to inform the development of vaping cessation interventions for young people by identifying perceived similarities and differences between vaping and smoking.

Key Points:

* The study conducted seven focus groups among youth and young adults living in the Greater Toronto area who self-identified as e-cigarette vapers and expressed interest in vaping cessation.
* Participants identified both similarities and differences between vaping and smoking that are relevant to vaping cessation.
* Perceived similarities between vaping and smoking include barriers to quitting such as social benefits, stress reduction, sensory and behavioral gratification, financial loss, industry influence, and dependence.
* Perceived differences between vaping and smoking include barriers to quitting such as enjoyment of flavors, convenience and discreetness, lack of self-awareness of vaping behaviors, lack of trusted information, and perceived social acceptability.
* The study suggests that understanding perceived differences in barriers to quitting and reasons for quitting is critical to advancing vaping cessation research and practice among young people.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of recognizing the perceived differences between vaping and smoking to inform the development of effective vaping cessation interventions for young people. The findings suggest that interventions specifically designed for vaping cessation may be more appropriate for this population compared to interventions that address vaping within the context of broader tobacco cessation frameworks. The study underscores the need for clear and transparent communication on the health effects of vaping, as well as the importance of addressing the unique considerations of vaping cessation such as the influence of industry and perceived social and stress reduction benefits.

Sanchez S, Kaufman P, Pelletier h, et al. Is vaping cessation like smoking cessation? a qualitative study exploring the responses of youth and young adults who vape e-cigarettes. addictive behaviors. 2021;113:106687. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106687