Lucy Popova1, Robert T Fairman2, Bangaman Akani3, Kristin Dixon4, Scott R Weaver2. 1. School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA. Electronic address: lpopova1@gsu.edu. 2. School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA. 3. School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3995, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA; Department of Public Health, Felix Houphouet-Boigny University, BPV 14 Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. 4. Fulton County Board of Health, 265 Boulevard, NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Growing rates of e-cigarette use among youth have reached epidemic proportions. Media messages have been deployed to counteract this trend, but their evaluations are lacking. We assessed youth's and parents' reactions to various existing e-cigarette prevention messages. METHODS: In 2019, 12 focus groups were conducted with youth (n = 63) and parents (n = 27). Participants discussed their reactions to 9 existing messages with various topics. RESULTS: Information on chemicals in e-cigarettes was seen as new and scary, but unknown chemical names created confusion. Youth appreciated novel ways to visualize health effects of e-cigarettes (parasites in the body) and nicotine's effect on behavior (mood swings), but they cautioned that some of these effects (irritability) are not always caused by nicotine. Some participants did not know if e-cigarette companies were "Big Tobacco." Some found it hard to argue with the financial costs of vaping, but others did not think they were too great. Participants recommended messages featuring testimonials from diverse adolescents and messages aimed at youth who are struggling with addiction to e-cigarettes. CONCLUSION: Messages would be particularly effective if they featured real youth and did not look like adults created them for youth. Another area that is currently not covered in media messages is talking to youth who are using e-cigarettes and might be already addicted but do not know where to turn for help. These adolescents need to be referred to resources for cessation.
INTRODUCTION: Growing rates of e-cigarette use among youth have reached epidemic proportions. Media messages have been deployed to counteract this trend, but their evaluations are lacking. We assessed youth's and parents' reactions to various existing e-cigarette prevention messages. METHODS: In 2019, 12 focus groups were conducted with youth (n = 63) and parents (n = 27). Participants discussed their reactions to 9 existing messages with various topics. RESULTS: Information on chemicals in e-cigarettes was seen as new and scary, but unknown chemical names created confusion. Youth appreciated novel ways to visualize health effects of e-cigarettes (parasites in the body) and nicotine's effect on behavior (mood swings), but they cautioned that some of these effects (irritability) are not always caused by nicotine. Some participants did not know if e-cigarette companies were "Big Tobacco." Some found it hard to argue with the financial costs of vaping, but others did not think they were too great. Participants recommended messages featuring testimonials from diverse adolescents and messages aimed at youth who are struggling with addiction to e-cigarettes. CONCLUSION: Messages would be particularly effective if they featured real youth and did not look like adults created them for youth. Another area that is currently not covered in media messages is talking to youth who are using e-cigarettes and might be already addicted but do not know where to turn for help. These adolescents need to be referred to resources for cessation.
Authors: Francisco Cartujano-Barrera; Ruthmarie Hernández-Torrez; Xueya Cai; Rafael H Orfin; Chiamaka Azogini; Arlette Chávez-Iñiguez; Edgar Santa Cruz; Maansi Bansal-Travers; Karen M Wilson; Scott McIntosh; Deborah J Ossip; Ana Paula Cupertino Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-14 Impact factor: 4.614
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