Background. Electronic cigarette use is rapidly increasing,
particularly among younger age groups. Relatively little is known of the factors predicting
electronic cigarette experimentation, and whether these factors differ to those that predict
standard cigarette usage. Method. Data were collected using questionnaires administered in a
classroom setting. Participants were 267 (107 female) French adolescents aged 15-16yrs. Data
were analysed cross-sectionally. Results. Sixty-one percent of participants had tried
electronic cigarettes (vs. 57% who had tried standard cigarettes). Of those who had tried
electronic cigarettes, 18% had never tried standard cigarettes. Sex, socio-economic status and
father’s smoking status did not predict experimentation with electronic cigarettes, but
mother’s smoking status did, b=1.59, SE=0.56, p=.005. Over and above this, attitudes,
intentions, social norms and prototype evaluation and similarity did not significantly predict
electronic cigarette experimentation, but self-efficacy to refrain from smoking (b=-.66,p=.02)
and willingness to try smoking, did (b=0.30,p=.014). Conclusions. Among younger age groups,
electronic cigarette experimentation is highly prevalent, and usage is not soley as a cessation
aid. There is some crossover between factors predicting standard and electronic cigarette
experimentation.
