Vaping in a Pacific Island Context: A Qualitative Exploration of Adolescent Initiation, Social Influences, and Regulatory Perceptions Among Young Adults in Samoa
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Background: E-cigarette use among adolescents is an emerging public health concern, yet evidence from Pacific Island settings remains limited. This study explored the experiences and perceptions of young adults in Samoa who initiated e-cigarette use during adolescence, focusing on social influences, health-risk perceptions, continued use and cessation, and understanding of e-cigarette regulation. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured, in-depth interviews was conducted with 30 current and former e-cigarette users aged ≥18 years who first experimented with e-cigarettes between 12 and 17 years. Participants were recruited from the National University of Samoa and The University of the South Pacific, Samoa Campus, using purposive and volunteer sampling. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, de-identified, manually coded, and analysed thematically. Results: Participants had a mean age of 21.7 years (SD=2.3), and the mean age at e-cigarette initiation was 15.6 years (SD=1.4). Sixteen (53.3%) were current users and 14 (46.7%) were former users. Four themes emerged: (1) social and peer influences shaping initiation and use; (2) perceptions and knowledge of health risks; (3) factors influencing continued use and cessation; and (4) limited understanding of e-cigarette regulation. Peer exposure and social settings were prominent in initiation and continued use. Cessation reflected multiple influences, including health concerns, financial cost, family influence, changing social environments, and personal motivation. Knowledge of vaping-related harms varied, while understanding of the regulatory environment was generally limited. Conclusion: E-cigarette initiation and subsequent use among participants were closely embedded within social and contextual environments. The findings support culturally grounded, youth-focused prevention and cessation approaches in Samoa, alongside strengthened surveillance, regulatory communication, and implementation of existing tobacco-control measures.
Source: Research Square
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7207873540