title: Perceptions towards electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation among Stop Smoking Service users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are promoted as smoking cessation tools, yet they remain unavailable from Stop Smoking Services in England; the debate over their safety and efficacy is ongoing. This study was designed to explore perceptions and reasons for use or non-use of electronic cigarettes as smoking cessation tools, among individuals engaged in Stop Smoking Services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with twenty participants engaged in Stop Smoking Services in the north-west of England. Participants comprised of both individuals who had tried e-cigarettes (n = 6) and those who had not (n = 14). Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were subject to thematic analysis, which explored participants' beliefs and experiences of e-cigarettes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A thematic analysis of transcripts suggested that the following three superordinate themes were prominent: (1) self-efficacy and beliefs in e-cigarettes; (2) e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid; and (3) cues for e-cigarette use. Participants, particularly never users, were especially concerned regarding e-cigarette efficacy and safety. Overall, participants largely expressed uncertainty regarding e-cigarette safety and efficacy, with some evidence of misunderstanding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence of uncertainty and misunderstanding regarding information on e-cigarettes highlights the importance of providing smokers with concise, up-to-date information regarding e-cigarettes, enabling smokers to make informed treatment decisions. Furthermore, identification of potential predictors of e-cigarette use can be used to inform Stop Smoking Services provision and future research.
  What is already known on this subject? Research suggests that e-cigarettes may help smokers quit smoking, but further studies are needed. Electronic cigarette use in Stop Smoking Services has increased substantially in recent years, although e-cigarettes are currently not regulated. There is debate within the academic community regarding e-cigarette efficacy and safety. What does this study add? Service users interviewed in the current study felt uncertain regarding e-cigarette efficacy and safety. E-cigarette ever users viewed e-cigarettes as effective and safe, more often than never users. Accurate and up-to-date education will enable service users to make informed treatment decisions.
authors.affiliation: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Research Programme, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Frances C
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4147-9305
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Sherratt
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Brain and Behaviour, Natural Sciences and Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Newson
authors.affiliation: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Research Programme, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.affiliation: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Research Programme, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Field
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Jude
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: beliefs; e-cigarettes; electronic cigarettes; perceptions; service users; smokers; smoking