JUUL electronic cigarettes have quickly gained popularity since their release in 2015. These electronic cigarettes are particularly popular among adolescents and young adults, so it is important to understand use patterns, reasons for use, and perceptions of use in these populations.
A recent study aimed to help with just that, and surveyed over 200 college students who reported ever using a JUUL. These participants completed a survey to assess JUUL use patterns, reasons for use, and perceptions of use by others. Of these participants, most of them only reported using a JUUL once or twice. However, 29.6% of them reported using JUUL daily or monthly. The main reasons that these students used JUUL were because friends were doing it, followed by curiosity. About half of participants reported that they would be comfortable telling their 5 closest friends that they used JUUL, and only about 10% believed that none of their closest friends would support JUUL use.
This study indicates that there are high rates of JUUL use among college students, and that this behavior is perceived to be acceptable by many students. Since the main motivators of JUUL use are peer use and curiosity, this indicates that peer influence is a significant factor that plays into college student JUUL use.
Take Away: Many college students report trying JUUL because of curiosity, or because their friends are doing it. Since JUUL is widely perceived to be acceptable in this population, education on safety and risks of using these products is necessary.
Leavens, E.L., Stevens, E.M., Brett, E., Leggingwell, T.R., Wagener, T.L. (2019). JUUL in school: JUUL electronic cigarette use patterns, reasons for use, and social normative perceptions among college student ever users. Addictive Behaviors. doi.org/10.016/j.addbeh.2019.106047