The Vaper's Perspective: A Qualitative Study of E-Cigarette Users and Smokers in Slovenia.

Background: The use of e-cigarettes has been rapidly expanding in recent years. The reasons people in Slovenia chose to use electronic cigarettes have not been studied to date. This study examines e-cigarette users' attitudes regarding their health risks.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the users' standpoint towards e-cigarettes and their understanding of the impact on people's health.

Methods: This qualitative study consists of 15 semi-qualitative interviews. Fifteen active or former tobacco smokers and/or e-cigarette users were interviewed using semi-structured interviews between 1 December 2019 and 30 April 2020. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The employed inductive analysis consisted of coding, creating categories and abstraction; that is, framing a general description of the research topic through generating categories.

Results: Data show that the interviewees do not have a unified opinion regarding the use and harmful effects of e-cigarettes. They agree that e-cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes, but do not believe that they completely eliminate harmful effects for people that smoke regularly. The results also show that vaping is typical of young people, who use e-cigarettes as an important element of their subculture.

Conclusions: The use of e-cigarettes in Slovenia is still a matter of public debate, because the advantages and harmful effects of using e-cigarettes are not yet well known. National guidelines for reducing the harmful effects of e-cigarettes are needed.