An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on smokers' reasons for discontinued use of the e-cigarette

Abstract

Background: E-cigarette use has risen substantially in the UK in the last 10 years. Thus far, e-cigarettes have been shown to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes and initial research has shown that smokers use e-cigarettes for many reasons, though there is limited research on reasons for discontinued use. The purpose of this study was to explore smokers’ experiences of using e-cigarettes including the reasons for use and discontinued use to better understand the factors that may hinder the conversion from smoking to ‘vaping’. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants and the transcripts were subject to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings: Findings suggest participants have internal struggles which may hinder the conversion from smoking to ‘vaping’. These struggles were focused around areas such as ‘Identity Conflict’; ‘Low quitting self-efficacy’; ‘Conflicting attitudes towards cigarettes and e-cigarettes’. Discussion: Smokers seem to have difficulty resolving their thoughts and feelings about cigarettes and e-cigarettes which may have an impact on their continued use of the e-cigarette and thus their quitting success.