Dataset Information

A qualitative exploration of information-seeking by electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) users in New Zealand.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Given recent increases in awareness and uptake of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), we aimed to explore ENDS users' information needs and search behaviours and whether information gaps exist.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews that probed participants' smoking behaviours and ENDS use; data in this study examine ENDS information-seeking behaviours. We used qualitative description to analyse interview transcripts.

Participants and setting

We recruited 39 current ENDS users (20 dual users and 19 exclusive ENDS users who reported having previously smoked cigarettes regularly) aged 18 and over, from three urban centres in New Zealand.

Results

Several participants used Google to search for information on ENDS' health effects, but described the material they retrieved as vague or contradictory. Some interpreted the absence of information on long-term health effects as evidence ENDS did not pose potential health risks, and several perceived e-liquids as benign. Many relied on information sourced from other ENDS users, gleaned from online forums, YouTube or from discussions with friends and acquaintances; these sources typically presented ENDS positively. Several participants found specialist ENDS retailers provided valuable advice; non-specialist store staff generally lacked detailed product knowledge and sometimes offered inaccurate information.

Conclusion

People seeking information on ENDS' health effects are more likely to retrieve recommendations, product reviews and endorsements from online sources or through exchanges with other users, than they are to find scientific data. Health authorities could help meet potential users' information needs by, first, creating and frequently updating objective lay summaries of the latest scientific evidence; second, by mandating licensing for retailers with guidelines to disclose uncertainty over ENDS' efficacy for cessation and longer-term health effects, and the need for complete substitution of ENDS for combustible cigarettes among those who use these products.

SUBMITTER: Robertson L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6224741 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A qualitative exploration of information-seeking by electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) users in New Zealand.

Robertson Lindsay L Hoek Janet J Blank Mei-Ling ML Richards Rosalina R Ling Pamela P Popova Lucy L McMillan Lydia L

BMJ open 20181025 10

<h4>Objectives</h4>Given recent increases in awareness and uptake of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), we aimed to explore ENDS users' information needs and search behaviours and whether information gaps exist.<h4>Design</h4>Qualitative study using semistructured interviews that probed participants' smoking behaviours and ENDS use; data in this study examine ENDS information-seeking behaviours. We used qualitative description to analyse interview transcripts.<h4>Participants and setti ...[more]

PMID: 30366916

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectivesApproximately 10% (40?000) of US quitline enrollees who smoke cigarettes report current use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS); however, little is known about callers' ENDS use. Our aim was to describe why and how quitline callers use ENDS, their beliefs about ENDS and the impact of ENDS use on callers' quit processes and use of FDA-approved cessation medications.DesignQualitative interviews conducted 1-month postregistration. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, double-coded and analysed to identify themes.SettingOklahoma Tobacco Helpline.Participants40 callers aged ?18 who were seeking help to quit smoking were using ENDS at registration and completed ?1 programme calls.ResultsAt 1-month postregistration interview, 80% of callers had smoked cigarettes in the last 7?days, almost two-thirds were using ENDS, and half were using cessation medications. Nearly all believed ENDS helped them quit or cut down on smoking; however, participants were split on whether they would recommend cessation medications, ENDS or both together for quitting. Confusion and misinformation about potential harms of ENDS and cessation medications were reported. Participants reported using ENDS in potentially adaptive ways (eg, using ENDS to cut down and nicotine replacement therapy to quit, and stepping down nicotine in ENDS to wean off ENDS after quitting) and maladaptive ways (eg, frequent automatic ENDS use, using ENDS in situations they did not previously smoke, cutting down on smoking using ENDS without a schedule or plan to quit), which could impact the likelihood of quitting smoking or continuing ENDS use.ConclusionsThese qualitative findings suggest quitline callers who use ENDS experience confusion and misinformation about ENDS and FDA-approved cessation medications. Callers also use ENDS in ways that may not facilitate quitting smoking. Opportunities exist for quitlines to educate ENDS users and help them create a coordinated plan most likely to result in completely quitting combustible tobacco.

Dataset Information

A qualitative exploration of information-seeking by electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) users in New Zealand.

Objectives

Design

Participants and setting

Results

Conclusion

Publications

A qualitative exploration of information-seeking by electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) users in New Zealand.

Similar Datasets

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