Vaping cessation strategies and triggers for relapse amongst people from New Zealand who have vaped

Introduction

In New Zealand (NZ) vapes (e-cigarettes) are a government-endorsed strategy to help people stop smoking, as well as being used recreationally by people who have never smoked. Nicotine vapes are addictive and many users want to quit. We surveyed current and past users of nicotine vapes to gather insights about their vaping cessation reasons and strategies.

Methods

In December 2022, we undertook a web-based survey in NZ using market research survey panels. Eligible panellists were aged ≥16 years, did not currently smoke and had vaped nicotine. Questions focused on demographics, smoking and vaping status, vaping dependence, strategies used to quit vaping, and triggers for vaping relapse.

Results

One thousand one hundred nineteen participants completed the survey: 144 had never smoked; 975 used to smoke, 401 currently vaped nicotine, and 718 used to vape nicotine. Participants were predominantly aged ≥25 years (89%); 63% were female, and 21% were Indigenous Māori and/or Pacific. Predictors of vaping dependence were having smoked or vaped for ≥2 years and vaping >3% nicotine. Reasons for trying to quit vaping included health concerns, disliking feeling dependent, and cost. Quitting strategies included stopping abruptly, nicotine tapering and family/friend support. Triggers for relapse were stress, being around others who vaped and nicotine withdrawal.

Discussion and Conclusion

In NZ reasons to quit and triggers to return to vaping are similar to quitting smoking. Until more research is available, it seems appropriate to support people who wish to stop vaping with similar strategies used to support people to quit smoking.