Emily Shord

• The Rise of E-Cigarettes in Academia: The Role of Stress and Socioeconomic Backgrounds on the Increase of Vaping in University Students
• BSc Hons Psychology

Use of e-cigarettes increases 50% annually among children and adolescents within the UK, and vaping related lung injuries have caused several deaths in younger populations. Existing literature focuses on health-related consequences of e-cigarette use, although little research explores the motives behind vaping in adolescents with no prior history of smoking. We developed a scale for measuring e-cigarette motivations (E-CMQ) by modifying questionnaires on alcohol and smoking motivations. An exploratory factor analysis indicated 6 motives for e-cigarette use: coping, conformity, enhancement, automatism, social, and handling. These motivations varied based on participant’s nicotine concentration, device preference, frequency of vaping, and reasons for first using e-cigarettes. Importantly, results inform our understanding as to why adolescents may use e-cigarettes without prior tobacco use. For instance, conformity motives might be driven by social media, which often depict vaping positively and acceptable, creating norms which encourage adolescents to use e-cigarettes despite no previous history of smoking.

Funded by: Newcastle University Research Scholarship

Project Supervisor: Dr Zachary Petzel