Ranjit Ananth, McCutchan Grace, Brain Katherine, Poole Ria
Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS, UK.
European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3DH, UK.
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2021 Nov 12;16(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s13011-021-00416-4.
E-cigarettes are increasing in popularity, particularly among young adults. With public health organisations contesting the possible benefits of e-cigarettes, research is required to explore young adults' use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation and recreational tool. This study examined existing qualitative data to understand how transition into adulthood and issues of identity affect young adults' perceptions and experiences of e-cigarette use.
A meta-ethnography was conducted to examine how young adults perceive and use e-cigarettes. Data were synthesised using Noblit and Hare's (1988) meta-ethnographic approach. Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model (1979) was used to conceptualise themes and map findings.
A total of 34 studies were included in the review. Young adults viewed e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to traditional cigarette smoking and perceived e-cigarettes as an effective cessation tool. Users were able to personalise their e-cigarette use due to the variety of flavours and devices available. E-cigarettes were found to be a sociable tool as they allowed users to align themselves with their peers who used e-cigarettes and facilitated use within smoke-free environments. Young adults demonstrated high levels of self-efficacy with regards to obtaining e-cigarettes from various retailers and were active consumers of e-cigarette marketing.
This meta-ethnography provides an in-depth insight into social norms around e-cigarette use and beliefs that e-cigarettes could be a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. As young adults increasingly engage with e-cigarettes, there is a need for informed policy decisions regarding appropriate use. Engagement with e-cigarettes is often reflected within social media, so this medium could be a key platform for creating tailored interventions which inform young adults about the appropriate use of these products.
电子烟越来越受欢迎，尤其是在年轻人当中。鉴于公共卫生组织对电子烟可能带来的益处提出质疑，需要开展研究来探究年轻人将电子烟用作戒烟和娱乐工具的情况。本研究分析了现有的定性数据，以了解步入成年期的转变和身份认同问题如何影响年轻人对电子烟使用的认知和体验。
开展了一项元民族志研究，以考察年轻人对电子烟的认知和使用情况。数据采用诺布利特和黑尔（1988年）的元民族志方法进行综合分析。运用布伦芬布伦纳的社会生态模型（1979年）来概念化主题并梳理研究结果。
该综述共纳入34项研究。年轻人认为电子烟是比传统吸烟更安全的选择，并将其视为一种有效的戒烟工具。由于有多种口味和设备可供选择，使用者能够使自己的电子烟使用方式个性化。电子烟被发现是一种社交工具，因为它能让使用者与使用电子烟的同龄人保持一致，并便于在无烟环境中使用。年轻人在从不同零售商处获取电子烟方面表现出很高的自我效能感，并且是电子烟营销的积极消费者。
这项元民族志研究深入洞察了围绕电子烟使用的社会规范以及认为电子烟可能是比传统香烟更安全选择的观念。随着年轻人越来越多地使用电子烟，需要做出明智的政策决策以规范其恰当使用。对电子烟的使用情况常常在社交媒体上有所体现，因此这个媒介可能是创建针对性干预措施的关键平台，这些措施可以让年轻人了解这些产品的恰当使用方法。
