Demographic and socio-cognitive variables predicting electronic cigarette experimentation in French adolescents

Abstract

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.