Mhazo Pakhani, Swartz Alison, Asfar Taghrid, Wallace Melissa
Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom.
Tob Prev Cessat. 2024 Sep 4;10. doi: 10.18332/tpc/190616. eCollection 2024.
E-cigarettes have rapidly gained a market share in South Africa and globally. Concerns have been raised over the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among young people, who are frequently drawn to these novel products and are especially targeted by marketers. Using a qualitative method, this study aimed to gain insight into young adults' knowledge, experiences, and perceptions of e-cigarette use in Cape Town, South Africa.
We conducted five focus groups (FGs) among students of the University of Cape Town (n=48; 46% females; 54% males; aged 18-25 years). These FGs, which included both e-cigarette users and non-users, were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using Nvivo 12 software.
Despite their lack of information about the chemical constituents of e-cigarettes and their harm, participants perceived them as healthier than combustible cigarettes. Participants equated the pleasant smell and environmental friendliness of e-cigarettes with safety. The absence of e-cigarette regulation was interpreted as evidence of their safety. Participants indicated that the lack of anti-e-cigarette indoor policies, the deceptive marketing regarding their safety, and their low price compared to combustible cigarettes, had key roles in increasing young people's use of e-cigarettes.
Findings highlight factors at multiple levels contributing to e-cigarette use among young people in South Africa. Comprehensive strategies for e-cigarette regulation and prevention are needed. Potential strategies include increasing knowledge of e-cigarette harms through evidence-based communication campaigns and strengthening e-cigarette regulations by limiting e-cigarette advertisements, banning vaping in public places, and reducing the flavors used in e-cigarettes.
电子烟在南非和全球范围内迅速获得了市场份额。人们对电子烟在年轻人中越来越受欢迎表示担忧，年轻人经常被这些新奇产品所吸引，并且特别受到营销人员的关注。本研究采用定性方法，旨在深入了解南非开普敦年轻人对电子烟使用的知识、经验和看法。
我们在开普敦大学的学生中进行了五个焦点小组（FGs）（n = 48；46%为女性；54%为男性；年龄在18 - 25岁之间）。这些焦点小组包括电子烟使用者和非使用者，进行了录音、逐字转录，并使用Nvivo 12软件进行主题分析。
尽管参与者对电子烟的化学成分及其危害缺乏了解，但他们认为电子烟比可燃香烟更健康。参与者将电子烟宜人的气味和环境友好性等同于安全性。电子烟缺乏监管被视为其安全的证据。参与者表示，缺乏室内禁烟政策、关于其安全性的欺骗性营销以及与可燃香烟相比价格较低，在增加年轻人使用电子烟方面起到了关键作用。
研究结果突出了导致南非年轻人使用电子烟的多个层面的因素。需要制定全面的电子烟监管和预防策略。潜在策略包括通过基于证据的宣传活动增加对电子烟危害的认识，以及通过限制电子烟广告、禁止在公共场所吸电子烟和减少电子烟使用的口味来加强电子烟监管。
