Perceptions of Benefits and Harms of Electronic Cigarettes among Young Adults: A Qualitative Study

In the global context, understanding the increasingly prevalent use of electronic cigarettes among young adults is crucial, particularly in the fight against addiction. This qualitative study, utilizing phenomenological analysis, explored the perceptions of the benefits and harms associated with electronic cigarette use among young adults. The sample comprised 20 young adults selected through the snowball sampling technique, one of the purposive sampling techniques. The participants voluntarily agreed to take part in the study and met the established inclusion criteria for face-to-face interviews, which were conducted using a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. The data underwent content analysis. The findings revealed that young adults’ perceptions of the benefits of electronic cigarettes fell into five categories, while perceptions of harms were grouped into four categories. The study concluded that young adults often perceive electronic cigarettes as a means to reduce or quit traditional smoking, as pleasurable, or as less harmful compared to traditional cigarettes. It is recommended that future research includes larger samples and employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches to further investigate the experience of using electronic cigarettes. Additionally, counseling services related to addiction, especially provided by psychiatric nurses, are recommended to raise societal awareness.