Addressing and Overcoming Barriers to E-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study

Katharine Bowker, Michael Ussher, Sue Cooper, Sophie Orton, Tim Coleman and Katarzyna Anna Campbell
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Katharine Bowker: Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Michael Ussher: Population Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
Sue Cooper: Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Sophie Orton: Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Tim Coleman: Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Katarzyna Anna Campbell: Division of Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: E-cigarettes may have a role in supporting pregnant women who would otherwise smoke to stop smoking. The study aimed to understand pregnant women’s vaping experiences, in particular how vaping to stop smoking is facilitated and how barriers to this are overcome. We conducted semi structured telephone interviews ( n = 15) with pregnant or postpartum women who vaped during pregnancy, either exclusively ( n = 10) or dual-used ( n = 5) (smoked and vaped). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews. Two themes emerged. First, ‘facilitating beliefs’: inherent beliefs that helped women overcome barriers to vaping. These included understanding the relative safety of vaping and economic gains compared with smoking and pregnancy being a motivator to stop smoking. Second, ‘becoming a confident vaper’: accumulating sufficient skill and confidence to comfortably vape. This included experimentation with e-cigarettes to ensure nicotine dependence and sensory needs were met. Seeking social support and employing strategies to address social stigma were also important. Positive beliefs about vaping and becoming proficient at vaping were viewed as ways to overcome barriers to vaping. The theoretical domain framework informed intervention recommendations to assist pregnant smokers who have tried but cannot stop smoking to switch to vaping.

Keywords: pregnancy; electronic cigarettes; vaping; smoking cessation; barriers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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