Consumers first experiences with ecigarettes in Australia a

Consumers’ first experiences with e-cigarettes in Australia: a quantitative and qualitative evaluation Samia Amin, Adam G. Dunn, Liliana Laranjo. Centre for Health Informatics Australian Institute of Health Innovation Macquarie University BACKGROUND Awareness and use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has increased rapidly in many countries in recent years, but little is known about why people decide to use e-cigarettes in Australia. AIMS To explore the reasons why current (used in the last 30 days) and past (have not used in the past 30 days) e-cigarette users first tried e-cigarettes; and learn about their experiences. METHODS Quantitative: Survey § Data collection: Qualtrics. com § Data analysis tool: SPSS version 25 § Data interpretation: Descriptive & inferential statistics Qualitative: Semi-structured interview § Data collection: Face-to-face or telephone § Data analysis tool: NVivo version 12 § Data interpretation: Thematic analysis RESULTS Quantitative: Survey § Total respondents: 118; 69 current and 49 past e-cigarette users § There was a significant difference between the responses of current and past e-cigarette users to the question of whether they first used e-cigarettes with the people with whom they study or work (21 current users answered affirmatively, compared to 4 past users; χ2 = 9. 36, p = 0. 009). § There was no difference between their responses regarding first use of e-cigarettes with people with whom they socialise or live with. Qualitative: Semi-structured interview § Total respondents: 14; 9 current and 5 past e-cigarette users § Two primary themes in relation to e-cigarette initiation experiences: (1) positive aspects, such as the flavour and the recreational nature of vaping; (2) negative aspects, in terms of health side effects. RECOMMENDATIONS Future research should explore the role that social interactions play in e-cigarette initiation among non-smokers, as well as the frequency and severity of health side effects associated with e-cigarette use. For more update of my research, please follow RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2019 www. Poster. Presentations. com @samia_amin 27 Survey results revealed Their reasons for first trying e-cigarettes: • to quit smoking • less harmful than cigarettes • curiosity Interviewed participants mentioned “The first time, it was very different from a normal cigarette. Something different. It was like a mint flavoured taste and a lot of smoke in each puff. It was really interesting” “My first experience I (…) found that when I used it, I would cough a lot. it irritated my lungs”