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Understanding of the personal and social factors influencing e-cigarette use in a Northern Irish sample of young adults.

E-cigarette use by adults in the UK is increasing rapidly, but the long-term side effects of e-cigarette use on health are unknown.  There is a perception that e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative to smoking, or should be used to aid smoking cessation.  Research suggests, however, that e-cigarette use may serve as a potential risk for the normalisation of smoking, thus increasing their use and leading to uptake of smoking and nicotine addiction.  Research also suggests an association with their use and intentions to try cigarettes in non-smokers.  Most importantly, the long term side effects of e-cigarette use on health are unknown.

This two-stage study employs the Theory of Planned Behaviour (theory-driven research) and will provide a better understanding of the personal and social factors influencing e-cigarette use in a Northern Irish sample of adults.

Specifically, the objective is to elicit the underlying beliefs influencing e-cigarette use by investigating the belief-based measures of the Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs:

  • attitudes towards e-cigarettes;
  • the role of one’s significant others; and
  • the ease or difficulty of engaging in the behaviour.

Funder: Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke (2016)

External academic collaborator: University of Sterling

Researching e-cigarette use