A Fast Track Open Access article published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review Journal.
Authors:
Su-Wei Wong, PhD
Ganghui Suh, MPH
Philip Massey, PhD, MPH, FAAHB
Hsien-Chang Lin, PhD, FAAHB, FNYAM
Objective:
Disposable e-cigarettes, characterized as all-in-one, non-rechargeable vaping devices, have gained popularity among college students. This study explored the factors influencing their adoption using qualitative interviews guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI).
Methods:
Thirty then-current e-cigarette users from three US public universities participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted in March 2022. Interviews focused on DOI constructs including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability, and were analyzed using a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic approach.
Results:
Findings revealed that flavors, stronger physical sensations, and product convenience were the main drivers of adoption. Participants also highlighted contextual compatibility with social and lifestyle habits, ease of experimentation, and wide public exposure as influential factors. However, drawbacks such as short product lifespan, inconsistent quality, and increased long-term costs were cited as deterrents. Social acceptability and peer-based communication further facilitated adoption, while regulatory enforcement and age restrictions were perceived as weak or easily circumvented.
Conclusions:
This study provides a nuanced understanding of how product characteristics influence the adoption of disposable e-cigarettes among college students. The insights can inform public health strategies, regulatory actions, and future research focused on preventing nicotine initiation and dependence in young adult populations.
Source: Health Behavior and Policy Review
Publisher: Paris Scholar Publishing Ltd.
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.14485/HBPR.13.2.2