Looks like smoking, is it smoking?: children's perceptions of cigarette-like nicotine delivery systems, smoking and cessation.
BACKGROUND
Alternative cigarette-like nicotine delivery systems have been met with diverse opinions. One concern has been for the effect on children. We investigate whether children can differentiate tobacco cigarette smoking from use of a nicotine inhaler and electronic cigarette. Their opinions on these devices was also of interest.


METHODS
Two structured focus groups and twelve individual interviews were conducted with twenty Māori and Pacific children (6-10 years old) in low socioeconomic areas in Auckland, New Zealand. Children viewed short video clips on an iPad that demonstrated an actor smoking a tobacco cigarette, sucking a lollipop or using an electronic cigarette or a nicotine inhaler.


RESULTS
Children did not recognise the inhaler or electronic cigarette. Some children did however notice anomalies in the 'smoking' behaviour. Once told about the products the children were mostly positive about the potential of the inhaler and electronic cigarette to assist smokers to quit. Negative perceptions were expressed, including views about the ill health effects associated with continued nicotine intake and the smoker's inability to quit.


CONCLUSIONS
In a context unfamiliar with electronic cigarettes or nicotine inhalers, such as New Zealand, children may misperceive use of these products as smoking. Once these products are more common and the purpose of them is known, seeing people use them should normalise quitting behaviour, something the children were very supportive of.
Julienne
J
Faletau
Centre for Tobacco Control Research, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. m.glover@auckland.ac.nz.
Marewa
M
Glover
Vili
V
Nosa
Fiona
F
Pienaar
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010379:Peer Group; D010465:Perception; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D014741:Video Recording
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine