Characterizing Participant Perceptions about Smoking-Cessation Pharmacotherapy and E-Cigarettes from Facebook Smoking-Cessation Support Groups

Allison Lee, Angela A. Chang, Joanne Chen Lyu, Pamela M. Ling and Stephanie L. Hsia
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Allison Lee: School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Angela A. Chang: School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Joanne Chen Lyu: Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Pamela M. Ling: Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Stephanie L. Hsia: School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: The prevalence of smoking among young adults aged 19–28 years old in the United States persists at rates of 14.3%. Young adults underutilize pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, and the use of e-cigarettes has increased. We analyzed comments from online smoking-cessation support groups to understand young-adult smokers’ views of pharmacotherapy and e-cigarettes, to provide a more in-depth insight into the underutilization of pharmacotherapy. A qualitative analysis was performed on comments about pharmacotherapy and e-cigarettes from participants enrolled in online smoking-cessation support groups in 2016–2020. A codebook was developed with a deductive approach to code the comments, followed by thematic analysis. Eighteen themes were identified, with four dominant themes: interest, benefit, knowledge, and flavor. Participants expressed less interest in both nicotine-replacement therapy and e-cigarettes; moreover, they expressed unfamiliarity with and misconceptions about pharmacotherapy, and recognized the enticing flavors of e-cigarettes. Participants often felt e-cigarettes were not useful for smoking cessation, but the flavors of e-cigarettes were appealing for use. Participants had mixed opinions about the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, but predominantly felt e-cigarettes were not useful for smoking cessation. The use of social media may be an effective way to address misconceptions about pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation and increase willingness to accept assistance.

Keywords: tobacco-use cessation devices; e-cigarette; varenicline; bupropion; electronic nicotine-delivery systems; vaping; adolescent; social media (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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