Reasons and perception about using e-cigarette among youth users in Hanoi

Doan Thi Thuy Duong*, Dao Quang Tien, Le Thu Giang, Phi Quynh Trang, Nguyen Hoang Nam

Hanoi University of Public Health

Objective: The study is to describe reason and perception of youth users of e-cigarettes in Hanoi in 2017.

Methods: The research used a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach, using a snowball technique to select samples. A total number of 11 persons from 18 to 30 years old, who used e-cigarettes, were living and working in Hanoi participated in the research. Of those, 8 persons were current used e-cigarettes, others used to be.

Main findings: Among smokers, attempts to quit smoking were reported as a reason for starting using e-cigarette. Other reason for trying e-cigarettes were curiosity, being offered by someone, being attracted by e-liquid flavors and taste, and of vaping tricks of smoke, or to show off. Smokers found that e-cigarettes are likely to be much less, if at all, harmful to users or bystanders. It was better to not addicted in any drugs, however, addicted in e-cigarettes were more likely to be accepted by other people, such as family members, friends than in smoke or any other drugs.

Conclusion: There are lack of information on e-cigarettes, particularly information on the effect of e-cigarettes in quitting smokes and on health of users. More research on these issues need to studies and disseminated.

Keywords: e-cigarettes, youth, Ha Noi, smoking
 

*Corresponding author: Doan Thi Thuy Duong

Work place: Hanoi University of Public Health

Email: dttd@huph.edu.vn