Addictive Potential of e-Cigarettes as Reported in e-Cigarette Online Forums: Netnographic Analysis of Subjective Experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While e-cigarettes usually contain nicotine, their addictive potential is not yet fully understood. We hypothesized that if e-cigarettes are addictive, users will experience typical symptoms of addiction.

Objective

The aim of our study was to investigate whether and how e-cigarette users report signs of addiction.

Methods

We identified 3 large German-language e-cigarette online forums via a systematic Google search. Based on a netnographic approach, we used deductive content analysis to investigate relevant posts in these forums. Netnography has the advantage of limiting the social desirability bias that prevails in face-to-face research, such as focus groups. The data were coded according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed

SUBMITTER: Szafran D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9862333 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature