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Perceptions of E-Cigarettes among Black Youth in California

Author

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  • Catherine A. Hess

    (Prevention Research Institute, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue., Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

  • Tamar M. J. Antin

    (Prevention Research Institute, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue., Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
    Institute for Scientific Analysis, 1150 Ballena Blvd., Suite 211, Alameda, CA 94501, USA)

  • Rachelle Annechino

    (Prevention Research Institute, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 180 Grand Avenue., Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

  • Geoffrey Hunt

    (Institute for Scientific Analysis, 1150 Ballena Blvd., Suite 211, Alameda, CA 94501, USA
    Center for Alcohol and Drug Research, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 10, Building 1322, 334, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

Abstract

Research suggests that Black youth are less likely to use e-cigarettes than their white counterparts, yet little is known as to why. We examined perceptions of e-cigarettes among Black young adults (ages 18–25) to explore the meanings these youth ascribe to e-cigarettes and the role that identity plays in how these devices are viewed. Analysis of in-depth interviews with 36 Black smokers and non-smokers in the San Francisco Bay Area suggests that Black youth perceive e-cigarettes as serving distinct, yet overlapping roles: a utilitarian function, in that they are recognized as legitimate smoking cessation tools, and a social function, insofar as they serve to mark social identity, specifically a social identity from which our participants disassociated. Participants described e-cigarette users in highly racialized and classed terms and generally expressed disinterest in using e-cigarettes, due in part perhaps to the fact that use of these devices would signal alignment with a middle class, hipster identity. This analysis is discussed within a highly charged political and public health debate about the benefits and harms associated with e-cigarette use.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine A. Hess & Tamar M. J. Antin & Rachelle Annechino & Geoffrey Hunt, 2017. "Perceptions of E-Cigarettes among Black Youth in California," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:1:p:60-:d:87421
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jan Tempel & Aliya Noormohamed & Robert Schwartz & Cameron Norman & Muhannad Malas & Laurie Zawertailo, 2016. "Vape, quit, tweet? Electronic cigarettes and smoking cessation on Twitter," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(2), pages 249-256, March.
    2. Keyes, Katherine M. & Vo, Thomas & Wall, Melanie M. & Caetano, Raul & Suglia, Shakira F. & Martins, Silvia S. & Galea, Sandro & Hasin, Deborah, 2015. "Racial/ethnic differences in use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana: Is there a cross-over from adolescence to adulthood?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 132-141.
    3. Jonah Berger & Lindsay Rand, 2008. "Shifting Signals to Help Health: Using Identity Signaling to Reduce Risky Health Behaviors," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 35(3), pages 509-518, March.
    4. Stuber, Jennifer & Galea, Sandro & Link, Bruce G., 2008. "Smoking and the emergence of a stigmatized social status," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 420-430, August.
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    1. Nhung Nguyen & Louisa M. Holmes & Minji Kim & Pamela M. Ling, 2020. "Using Peer Crowd Affiliation to Address Dual Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes among San Francisco Bay Area Young Adults: A Cross Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Kim A. G. J. Romijnders & Liesbeth Van Osch & Hein De Vries & Reinskje Talhout, 2018. "Perceptions and Reasons Regarding E-Cigarette Use among Users and Non-Users: A Narrative Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, June.

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