Intention to quit electronic cigarette smoking among university students who are e-cigarette users

Abstract

Objective To identify factors that are significantly associated with the intention to quit electronic cigarette smoking (ECS) at multiple, ecological levels among university students. Participants 365 students who were e-cigarette users from Seoul metropolitan areas, South Korea. Methods A cross-sectional study through an online survey. Results Of participants, 62.7% had the intention to quit ECS—17.2% within one month, 14.0% within six months, and 31.5% when the time is right. Factors significantly associated with the intention to quit ECS were identified: “device type,” “a shorter duration of ECS,” and “having started ECS for quitting traditional cigarette smoking” at the intrapersonal-level; “negative attitudes of either peers or family members toward ECS” at the interpersonal-level; and “exposure to community smoking cessation educations” at the community-level. Conclusions Approximately one-thirds of university e-cigarette users had no intention to quit ECS. The factors identified should be integrated into university level, behavioral smoking cessation strategies.