ABSTRACT

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine perceptions including knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about e-cigarettes among ethno-culturally diverse Latino adults living in the US, a rapidly growing minority group for which we know little about their e-cigarette perceptions.

Design

A total of 25 focus groups with Latinos (n = 180; ages 18–64 years) were conducted in 2014. E-cigarettes users and non-users were recruited via purposive sampling techniques. Participants completed brief questionnaires on sociodemographic factors and tobacco use. Focus group discussions were conducted in English and Spanish, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis procedures.

Results

Participants were of diverse Latino backgrounds. Over one-third (35%) reported current cigarette smoking and 8% reported current e-cigarette or hookah use. Nonsmokers reported experimenting with e-cigarettes and hookah during social occasions. Participants’ perceptions towards e-cigarettes were generally formed in comparison to conventional cigarettes. Perceived benefits of using e-cigarettes included their utility as a smoking cessation aid, higher social acceptability, and lower harm compared to conventional cigarettes. Negative perceptions of e-cigarettes included lower overall satisfaction compared to conventional cigarettes and high content of toxins. Socio-cultural factors (e.g. gender roles, familismo, and simpatía) also influenced perceptions of e-cigarette of study participants.

Conclusions

Overall, Latino adults knew relatively little about the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use. The limited knowledge about and misinformation of e-cigarettes among this rapidly growing minority group have important public health implications. Findings may inform culturally tailored health communication campaigns, which are much needed among underserved US Latino populations in light of low effectiveness of tobacco control and regulatory efforts.

中文翻译：

---

美国四个城市中心种族文化多元化的拉丁裔成年人对电子烟的看法

摘要

客观的

这项研究的目的是调查生活在美国的种族文化多元化的拉丁裔成年人对电子烟的看法，包括知识、态度和信仰，这是一个快速增长的少数群体，我们对其电子烟的看法知之甚少。

设计

2014 年，共开展了 25 个拉丁裔焦点小组（n  = 180；年龄 18-64 岁）。通过有目的抽样技术招募了电子烟使用者和非使用者。参与者完成了有关社会人口因素和烟草使用的简短调查问卷。焦点小组讨论以英语和西班牙语进行，并进行录音和转录。使用主题分析程序对数据进行分析。

结果

参与者具有不同的拉丁裔背景。超过三分之一 (35%) 的人报告目前吸烟，8% 的人报告目前使用电子烟或水烟。不吸烟者报告在社交场合尝试电子烟和水烟。参与者对电子烟的看法通常是与传统香烟相比形成的。使用电子烟的好处包括其作为戒烟辅助工具的效用、更高的社会接受度以及与传统香烟相比更低的危害。对电子烟的负面看法包括与传统香烟相比总体满意度较低以及毒素含量高。社会文化因素（例如性别角色、家庭主义和同情心）也影响研究参与者对电子烟的看法。

结论

总体而言，拉丁裔成年人对电子烟使用相关的潜在健康风险知之甚少。这个快速增长的少数群体对电子烟的了解有限和错误信息对公共卫生产生了重要影响。研究结果可能会为针对文化的健康传播活动提供信息，鉴于烟草控制和监管工作的有效性较低，服务不足的美国拉丁裔人群非常需要这些活动。