UEA research finds young people are more aware of risks of vaping than smoking tobacco
Those who took part in this work said they'd still continue to buy disposable vapes even if they were banned
A new study from the University of East Anglia has found that young people are far more aware of the risks posed by vaping than smoking tobacco.
Lead researchers at Norwich Medical School looked at 29 young people's experiences and perceptions of disposable vapes.
This found that those aged between 16 and 20 see smoking tobacco and vaping as "interchangeable".
This work suggest that banning disposable vape products or increasing their prices could lead young people to revert to smoking tobacco.
Many of the young people questioned also believed that if disposable vapes were banned they would be able to continue using them by stockpiling or purchasing illegally.
"Insights into the factors influencing youth vaping behaviour”
Lead researcher Caitlin Notley, a Professor of Addiction Sciences at UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Youth use of disposable vapes has surged in recent years in the UK.
“Despite this increase, little was previously known about the motivations behind this trend and the experiences of young people who use these products.
“This study aimed to explore these aspects, providing valuable insights into the factors influencing youth vaping behaviour.”
The key findings include:
Individual Motivations: Participants highlighted key characteristics of disposable vapes that appealed to them, such as affordability, ease of access, and the attractive designs, colours, names, and flavours.
Behaviour Patterns: Many young people engaged in both vaping and tobacco smoking, viewing these behaviours as interchangeable based on the context. There was a common misconception about the relative harms of vaping compared to smoking.
Social and Emotional Factors: Experimentation with vapes was prevalent, and many young people used vapes to manage stress and anxiety. Vaping was also identified as a social activity, widely accepted among peer groups. Notably, participants were more informed about the potential harms of vaping than those associated with smoking.
Regulation: Strict regulatory measures, such as banning disposable vape products or increasing their prices, could lead young people to revert to smoking tobacco. Many of the young people believed that if disposable vapes were banned they would be able to continue using them by stockpiling or purchasing illegally.