Dataset Information

Users' Modifications to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Interviews with ENDS Enthusiasts.

ABSTRACT: Users' modifications to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products could increase initiation, inhibit cessation, or change the toxicity of the product. This study aims to begin to identify consumers' common ENDS modification behaviors. We conducted audio-recorded, in-depth one-on-one interviews with 13 adult ENDS users in the metropolitan Atlanta area, who self-reported extensive modification experience. Modifications to coils, batteries, and e-liquids were commonly mentioned. Participants indicated that users modified devices to produce large clouds, change levels of nicotine delivery, alter tastes of e-liquids, and experience different throat hits. Because manufacturers have changed product characteristics to be in line with consumer preferences, interviewees indicated that fewer users currently engage in modifications to coils and batteries compared to the more widespread practice a few years ago. Hobbyists continue to perform modifications and many users continue to misuse or abuse e-liquids, despite the view that fewer users currently alter their ENDS than in the past. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory actions that limit certain product characteristics may unintentionally increase the likelihood that users will once again make more extensive modifications to their products, and this should be considered as part of the FDA's regulatory decision-making process.

SUBMITTER: Li Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7037434 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Users' Modifications to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Interviews with ENDS Enthusiasts.

Li Yachao Y Fairman Robert T RT Churchill Victoria V Ashley David L DL Popova Lucy L

International journal of environmental research and public health 20200202 3

Users' modifications to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products could increase initiation, inhibit cessation, or change the toxicity of the product. This study aims to begin to identify consumers' common ENDS modification behaviors. We conducted audio-recorded, in-depth one-on-one interviews with 13 adult ENDS users in the metropolitan Atlanta area, who self-reported extensive modification experience. Modifications to coils, batteries, and e-liquids were commonly mentioned. Particip ...[more]

PMID: 32024230

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Project description:ObjectivesGiven 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.DesignQualitative 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 settingWe 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.ResultsSeveral 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.ConclusionPeople 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.

Project description:BACKGROUND:As user modification can alter the addictiveness and toxicity of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), more research is needed to understand the types, motivations, risks, and information sources that lead to these product alterations. YouTube has been identified as a major platform where ENDS users obtain and share information about ENDS products and modifications. However, a comprehensive study of ENDS modification videos on YouTube is lacking. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to analyze the content of YouTube videos depicting modifications of ENDS. METHODS:YouTube was searched in March 2019 to identify videos depicting ENDS modifications. Search terms were derived from interviews with ENDS users and current literature. We used 28 search phrases that combined the words vape and vaping with modification-related key terms (eg, custom build, modification, and dripping). The final sample included 168 videos. RESULTS:Videos were 1 to 108 min long (median 9.55). Presenters were largely male (117/168, 69.6%), white (94/168, 56.0%), and older than 25 years (94/168, 56.0%). Most videos gave how to instructions (148/168, 88.1%), but few offered warnings (30/168, 17.9%) or mentioned commercial alternatives to modifications they presented (16/168, 9.5%). The ENDS devices most often featured were drippers (63/168, 37.5%) and refillable tanks (37/168, 22.0%). The most often modified ENDS components were coils (82/168, 48.8%) and e-liquids (34/168, 20.2%), which included adding other substances, such as cannabis, to the e-liquids (6/168, 3.6%). Most videos portrayed ENDS modifications positively (106/168, 63.1% positive; 60/168, 35.7% neutral; and 2/168, 1.2% negative) and were either neutral or positive in their overall portrayal of ENDS devices (78/168, 46.4% positive; 89/168, 53.0% neutral; and 1/168, 0.6% negative). CONCLUSIONS:This study identified several concerning trends in popular YouTube videos on ENDS modifications, including lack of warnings, the addition of marijuana derivatives to e-liquids, and the positive portrayal of ENDS devices and modifications. By identifying the types of modifications (coil and e-liquid being the most prevalent), this study sets an agenda for research on the effects of modifications.

Dataset Information

Users' Modifications to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Interviews with ENDS Enthusiasts.

Publications

Users' Modifications to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Interviews with ENDS Enthusiasts.

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