Vaping among youth: reasons, realization and intention to quit

Publication Date

10-19-2022

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Young Consumers

Volume

23

Issue

4

DOI

10.1108/YC-12-2021-1429

First Page

512

Last Page

538

Abstract

Purpose: Vaping has become a prominent public health problem that has impacted young adults. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the effects of different intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on young adults’ realization of excessive vaping and their intention to quit vaping. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was used to collect data from 232 young vapers (primarily Generation Z and Millennials) to test the hypothesized relationships using a covariance-based structural equation model. Findings: The findings of this study suggest that “realization of excessive vaping” is negatively associated with “sensation seeking” and positively associated with “deal proneness,” “environmental cues” and “negative repercussion.” The “intention to quit vaping” is negatively associated with “marketing cues” and positively associated with “alternative to smoking” and “environmental cues.” Finally, the “realization of excessive vaping” is positively associated with “intention to quit vaping.” Originality/value: This study takes a two-dimensional approach to understand the complex motivations behind a relatively new addictive behavior – vaping. It contributes to the literature of addictive behavior, social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior. Further, it has important implications for public policy and the marketing of addictive products to youths.

Keywords

Addiction, Intention to quit, Realization, Vaping, Young adults, Youth

Department

Marketing and Business Analytics

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