Disposable Vapes are Increasingly Popular Among Young People

A recent study published in Addiction, titled “Young People’s use of Disposable Vapes: A Qualitative Study,” conducted by the University of East Anglia, explores the rising popularity of disposable vape use among young people in the UK.

It reveals that while young individuals view smoking and vaping as interchangeable, they show more awareness of the potential risks linked to vaping than to smoking.

The study findings suggest that banning disposable vape products or raising their prices may prompt young people to revert to smoking tobacco. Many respondents expressed beliefs that even if disposable vapes were prohibited, they could continue to access them through stockpiling or illegal purchases.

Research Focus and Methodology

Professor Caitlin Notley, lead researcher and an expert in Addiction Sciences at UEA’s Norwich Medical School, emphasized the significant increase in youth use of disposable vapes in the UK in recent years.

The study aimed to uncover the motivations and experiences driving this trend, employing various methods to explore the behavior of 29 young participants aged 16 to 20. These methods included individual interviews, recorded conversations among friends using prompt cards, and small group interviews tailored to support participants with special educational needs.

Key findings from the study include:

Motivations: Participants identified affordability, ease of access, attractive designs, colors, names, and flavors as key reasons for their attraction to disposable vapes.

Behavioral patterns: Many young individuals engaged in both vaping and tobacco smoking, perceiving these activities as interchangeable depending on the situation. There was a widespread misconception regarding the comparative health risks of vaping versus smoking.

Social and emotional factors: Experimentation with vapes was common among participants, who often used them to manage stress and anxiety. Vaping was also seen as a social activity accepted within peer groups. Participants demonstrated greater awareness of the potential harms of vaping compared to smoking.

Regulatory concerns: Strict regulations, such as banning disposable vape products or increasing their prices, may drive young people back to smoking tobacco. Many participants believed they could continue using disposable vapes through stockpiling or illegal purchases if they were banned.

Impact of Disposable Vapes

Dr. Ian Pope, co-author from UEA’s Norwich Medical School and an emergency physician, highlighted the attractiveness and accessibility of disposable vapes to young people in the UK, contributing to their normalization within this demographic. Despite recognizing health risks, young people continue to use both vaping and smoking interchangeably.

The researchers suggest that stricter enforcement of age restrictions on sales, along with limitations on packaging and marketing, could potentially reduce young people’s use of disposable vapes. However, they caution that such interventions might unintentionally increase the use of illicit vapes and, more concerning, tobacco use among young individuals.

Professor Caitlin Notley emphasized the need for policy interventions that not only address disposable vape use but also reduce access to illicit vapes and tobacco, while enhancing awareness of the relative health risks associated with these products.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the Nicotine, Tobacco, and Vaping Research Group at London South Bank University.

Read the original article on: Medical Xpress

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