Welsh Primary Schoolchildren’s Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes: A Mixed Methods Study

Lorna Porcellato, Kim Ross-Houle, Zara Quigg, Jane Harris, Charlotte Bigland, Rebecca Bates, Hannah Timpson, Ivan Gee, Julie Bishop, Ashley Gould and Alisha R. Davies
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Lorna Porcellato: Public Health Institute; Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
Kim Ross-Houle: Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Social and Political Science, University of Chester, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK
Zara Quigg: Public Health Institute; Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
Jane Harris: Public Health Institute; Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
Charlotte Bigland: Public Health Institute; Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
Rebecca Bates: Public Health Institute; Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
Hannah Timpson: Public Health Institute; Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
Ivan Gee: Public Health Institute; Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L2 2QP, UK
Julie Bishop: Public Health Wales, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK
Ashley Gould: Public Health Wales, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK
Alisha R. Davies: Public Health Wales, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: There are concerns that the growing popularity of e-cigarettes promotes experimentation among children. Given the influence of the early years on attitude and habit formation, better understanding of how younger children perceive vaping before experimentation begins is needed, to prevent uptake and inform tobacco control strategies. We explored Welsh primary schoolchildren’s (aged 7–11) awareness of e-cigarettes relative to tobacco smoking, their understanding of the perceived risks and benefits and their intentions and beliefs about vaping. Data was collected using a mix of methods in June and July 2017 from 8 purposively selected primary schools across Wales. Four hundred and ninety-five children (52% female) aged 7 years ( n = 165), 9 years ( n = 185) and 11 years ( n = 145) completed a class-administered booklet encompassing a draw and write exercise and survey. Ninety-six children participated in 24 peer discussion groups comprised of 2 boys and 2 girls from each year group. Data were analysed independently and findings triangulated. Survey analyses used frequencies, descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests. Content analysis was undertaken on the draw and write data and peer discussion groups were analysed thematically. Study findings highlight that primary schoolchildren have general awareness of e-cigarettes. Vaping was perceived to be healthier than smoking and there was some recognition that e-cigarettes were used for smoking cessation. Understanding of any health harms was limited. Few children intended to smoke or vape in the future but almost half thought it was okay for grownups. Children’s perceptions were influenced by exposure through family and friends. Findings suggest a need for e-cigarette education in primary schools, to highlight the associated risks of e-cigarette experimentation including the potential for tobacco initiation.

Keywords: vaping; smoking; e-cigarettes; primary schoolchildren; perceptions; mixed methods; health education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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