Manpreet Bains

Introduction Encouraging smokers to quit smoking tobacco using e-cigarettes could substantially reduce smoking-related diseases. Vape shops (VS) therefore have the potential to play an important role in supporting smoking cessation. The aim of this study was to explore how to deliver a vape shop-based smoking cessation intervention in the United Kingdom. Methods Semistructured telephone interviews were undertaken with four stakeholder groups: 20 stop smoking service (SSS) providers, seven tobacco control leads, seven smokers/vapers, and five vape shop staff. Interviews were analyzed thematically. Results Stakeholder groups were positive about the idea of delivering a vape shop-based intervention. Themes that were identified were the characteristics of the intervention (duration and timing; delivery; style and content; and product provisions); barriers to the intervention (challenges for new vapers; false information; tobacco company involvement; and conflicts of interest); facilitators to the intervention (positive views on vaping; cost-effectiveness; popularity; and accessibility); and considerations for the intervention (data protection and privacy; aesthetics; and regulation and management). The results suggest that the intervention should be delivered by vape shop workers with mandatory training with the support of SSS. Most stakeholders agreed quitting vaping was not a priority, but that information on how to reduce nicotine use should be given. Concerns around privacy, General Data Protection Regulation, misinformation about vaping, and tobacco company involvement would need to be addressed. Conclusions Stakeholders agree that VS should offer stop smoking interventions and hold similar opinions on how this should be delivered. Implications This study suggests that smokers, vapers, and other key stakeholders are positive about the idea of a stop-smoking vape shop-based intervention and that they hold similar opinions on how this should be delivered. Most participants felt that this should be primarily delivered by trained vape shop staff and run with support from SSS. Participants agreed that a stop-smoking vape shop-based intervention should be flexible in terms of the type, duration, and frequency of support provided, and that the intervention should comprise both technical guidance on using a vape and behavioral support to prevent a return to smoking.

Background Existing evidence suggests that while the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic triggered quit attempts among many smokers, it led some to smoke more and others to relapse back to smoking. These diverse effects have the potential to have a long-term impact on individuals’ smoking and vaping behaviors. Aims and Methods This study explored the effect of COVID-19 on smokers and vapers, vape shops (VS), and stop smoking services (SSS). A total of 39 semi-structured interviews were conducted with stop-smoking practitioners, tobacco control leads, smokers and/or vapers, and vape shop owners. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Results Four themes were identified: Lockdown as a barrier to becoming or remaining smoke-free; COVID as a catalyst for quitting and remaining smoke-free; changes in vaping and challenges for vapers and VS; and changes and challenges for stop smoking support. Fear of COVID resulting in severe health implications for smokers facilitated behavior change; however, the boredom and monotony of lockdown and associated stress created difficulties in remaining a smoke free. Results showed that the enforced switch from face-to-face to the remote provision of SSS was beneficial for improving engagement, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women. Stop smoking professionals and vapers disagreed with the forced closure of VS because it created unnecessary difficulties for vapers to access supplies. Conclusions COVID-19 was both a barrier and facilitator for smoking cessation. Remote provision of SSS implemented due to lockdown was beneficial for hard-to-reach groups; services should look to incorporate these changes into day-to-day practice. Implications This study is one of the first to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic directly affected smokers, vapers, SSS, tobacco control leads, and VS. It provides evidence for the continued use of the remote provision of smoking cessation services to increase engagement among hard-to-reach groups and provides information on how pandemics can be a catalyst for health behavior change. This study is unique in that it incorporates the views of different stakeholders.