Holt Laura J, Petrey Anna M, Bravo Adrian J, Folivi Folly
Department of Psychology, Trinity College, Hartford, CT, USA.
Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.
Nicotine Tob Res. 2025 Jun 23;27(7):1209-1217. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntae283.
Although young adults use electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) more often than any other demographic group, most are interested in cessation; however, little is known about their cessation experiences. The present study examined characteristics associated with quit attempts, reasons for quitting and resources utilized, and psychological symptoms (ie, depression, anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]) associated with cessation barriers.
College-attending adults from six US institutions who endorsed lifetime ENDS use (N = 2007; 75% female) completed a 1-hour online survey between Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.
More than half of participants (53%) made a cessation attempt; of those participants, more than half (53%) made multiple attempts. Male sex; college region; earlier ENDS initiation; higher ENDS dependence; disposable or pod device use; and past 30-day combustible use were associated with cessation attempts. Health concerns motivated many quit attempts (44%), although participants identified a range of reasons that converged with prior research. Unassisted cessation methods were most common (eg, cold turkey [68%], willpower [53%]). Although utilized far less often, replacing vaping with another activity, support from family/friends, nicotine replacement, and prescription cessation medications were perceived to be helpful. Anxiety sensitivity and ADHD symptoms were associated with more barriers to cessation, particularly with affect management and withdrawal.
ENDS quit attempts are common among young adults, particularly males and those with higher dependence, but largely are unassisted. Encouraging the use of multiple interventions and tailoring interventions to those with psychological vulnerabilities are critical next steps to improving young adults' success with ENDS cessation.
Young adults are motivated to quit ENDS for a wide range of intra- and interpersonal reasons. However, their limited uptake of ENDS cessation resources suggests an opportunity to better publicize and increase access to these resources, particularly to digital resources, nicotine replacement therapy, and prescription cessation medications. To be maximally effective, cessation interventions should be multipronged and address the unique challenges faced by individuals with greater anxiety sensitivity and ADHD symptoms, prominent issues in this developmental stage.
尽管年轻人比其他任何人口群体更频繁地使用电子尼古丁传送系统（ENDS），但大多数人对戒烟感兴趣；然而，对于他们的戒烟经历却知之甚少。本研究调查了与戒烟尝试相关的特征、戒烟原因和所利用的资源，以及与戒烟障碍相关的心理症状（即抑郁、焦虑、焦虑敏感性、注意力缺陷多动障碍[ADHD]）。
来自美国六所机构的在读大学生，他们认可终生使用ENDS（N = 2007；75%为女性），在2022年秋季至2023年春季期间完成了一项1小时的在线调查。
超过一半的参与者（53%）尝试戒烟；在这些参与者中，超过一半（53%）进行了多次尝试。男性、大学所在地区、更早开始使用ENDS、更高的ENDS依赖性、使用一次性或烟弹式设备以及过去30天内使用可燃烟草与戒烟尝试有关。对健康的担忧促使许多人尝试戒烟（44%），尽管参与者指出了一系列与先前研究一致的原因。无辅助的戒烟方法最为常见（例如突然戒烟[68%]、意志力[53%]）。尽管使用频率低得多，但用另一项活动替代电子烟、家人/朋友的支持、尼古丁替代和处方戒烟药物被认为是有帮助的。焦虑敏感性和ADHD症状与更多的戒烟障碍相关，特别是在情绪管理和戒断方面。
ENDS戒烟尝试在年轻人中很常见，尤其是男性和依赖性较高的人，但很大程度上是无辅助的。鼓励使用多种干预措施并针对有心理脆弱性的人量身定制干预措施是提高年轻人ENDS戒烟成功率的关键下一步。
年轻人出于广泛的内在和人际原因有动力戒掉ENDS。然而，他们对ENDS戒烟资源的有限使用表明有机会更好地宣传并增加对这些资源的获取，特别是数字资源、尼古丁替代疗法和处方戒烟药物。为了达到最大效果，戒烟干预措施应该是多方面的，并解决焦虑敏感性较高和有ADHD症状的个体所面临的独特挑战，这些是这个发育阶段的突出问题。
