Experiences of women with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses using electronic cigarettes for smoking substitution

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the motivation and experiences of women with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses who used electronic cigarettes (ECs) to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoked. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 women aged 18-65 years with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses who smoked at least three cigarettes daily for the past year or more and who enrolled in an intervention designed to substitute regular cigarettes with ECs. At the 12-week follow-up, patients were contacted by telephone. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, then transcribed, coded and analysed for themes. Results: When confronted with a new diagnosis associated with smoking, women in this study were eager to try ECs to help them reduce their intake of cigarettes. Women reported that physical cues similar to smoking, delivery of nicotine sufficient to assist with smoking reduction and the security of having the device available to use in instances where temptations to smoke may occur were all positive experiences in trying the device. Other women in the study reported negative experiences, such as a lack of sufficient nicotine to eliminate cravings, heaviness of the device and the need to keep it charged. Depression, nicotine addiction and habit were factors that made it difficult to decrease cigarette consumption. Conclusions: Findings suggest that ECs may help with smoking substitution in patients who must reduce smoking due to medical conditions or diagnoses.