Electronic cigarette social norms among adolescents in New South Wales, Australia

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22945579
AutoresAmelia Yazidjoglou (0000-0003-4406-368X, Centre of Epidemiology for Policy and Practice, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University , Mills Road, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601 , Australia, autor de correspondencia), Christina Watts (0000-0002-3803-6151, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, A Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW , Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo, Sydney, New South Wales, 2011 , Australia), Grace Joshy (0000-0002-0718-6368, Centre of Epidemiology for Policy and Practice, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University , Mills Road, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601 , Australia), Emily Banks (0000-0002-4617-1302, Centre of Epidemiology for Policy and Practice, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University , Mills Road, Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601 , Australia), Becky Freeman (0000-0002-2082-9612, The University of Sydney)
Año2024
Volumen39
Número2
Fecha de publicación2024-04-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
EditorialOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/daae018
PMID38432650
OpenAlexW4392343313
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas12
Referencias citadas32

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is common and increasing, especially among youth. In 2022/2023, 30% of 12- to 17-year-olds reported ever using e-cigarettes in Australia—a >50% increase from 2017 (14%). Several adverse e-cigarette health effects have been identified and most effects remain unknown. Social norms, rules that govern social behaviours, are associated with current and future adolescent e-cigarette use. Understanding social norms in Australian adolescents is critical to the development of targeted and effective e-cigarette prevention activities. This study aims to explore e-cigarette social norms among adolescents living in New South Wales, Australia. A total of 32 online single or paired semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted involving 46 participants aged 14–17 years, as part of the Generation Vape project. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied within a constructivist perceptive. Adolescents perceived e-cigarettes use as prolific among their peers, with use considered common, acceptable and normal. Fuelled by social exposure to e-cigarettes, ‘everyone’ was generally thought to be using them (descriptive norms). E-cigarette use was considered so entrenched that it was part of adolescent identity, with abstinence regarded as atypical. Use was driven by an internalised desire to fit it (injunctive norm), rather than being attributed to overt/external ‘peer-pressure’. Positive e-cigarette norms exist among Australian adolescents with norm formation strongly influenced by social exposure, including e-cigarette promotion. Prevention efforts should include limiting adolescent exposure to e-cigarette marketing to help redefine existing pro-e-cigarette social norms and protect health.

Abstinence · Developmental psychology · Electronic cigarette · Environmental health · Norm (philosophy) · Peer pressure · Perception · Political science · Psychiatry · Public health · Qualitative research · Social norms approach · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Tobacco control · Youth smoking · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Child Development and Digital Technology · Medicine · Psychology · Smoking Behavior and Cessation · Social Psychology