Risk perceptions and changes in tobacco use in relation to Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic: A qualitative study on adolescent tobacco users in Hong Kong
Introduction Tobacco use is associated with an increased risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, severe COVID-19 outcomes requiring intensive care, and mortality. We investigated the perceived risk of and changes in cigarette, e-cigarette (EC) and heated tobacco product (HTP) use in r...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Risk-perceptions-and-changes-in-tobacco-use-in-relation-to-nCoronavirus-Disease-2019,167479,0,2.html |
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| Summary: | Introduction
Tobacco use is associated with an increased risk of Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) infection, severe COVID-19 outcomes requiring intensive care,
and mortality. We investigated the perceived risk of and changes in cigarette,
e-cigarette (EC) and heated tobacco product (HTP) use in relation to COVID-19
in Hong Kong adolescent tobacco users.
Methods
We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews from January to April
2021 and in February 2022 on 40 adolescents (63% boys, Secondary school grades
2–6) who participated in our previous smoking surveys and were using cigarettes,
ECs or HTPs before the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020.
Results
Adolescents generally perceived higher risks of contracting and having
more severe COVID-19 from using cigarettes than ECs/HTPs, but they had limited
knowledge of COVID-19 risks from EC/HTP use, particularly. Both increased and
reduced consumption were found in tobacco, with EC use being the less affected
product. Changes also included switching to ECs for convenience and lower cost
and shifting from smoking cigarettes outside to mainly at home or in hidden areas.
COVID-related policies, fear of infection, non-COVID-related health concerns,
less social opportunities and pocket money, and limited access to tobacco products
were barriers to tobacco use. In contrast, greater freedom at home versus school
and negative emotions due to social distancing were facilitators. Family/peer
influence had mixed impacts.
Conclusions
Adolescent tobacco users perceived lower COVID risks associated with
HTPs and ECs than cigarettes, and various changes in tobacco use were found
amid the pandemic in Hong Kong. COVID-19 and related social changes may
both facilitate or deter adolescent tobacco use. |
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| ISSN: | 1617-9625 |