Vaping continues to be a problem numerous communities are facing in the United States. Since their invention, electric cigarettes have always been viewed by people as a better alternative to traditional cigarettes. This is primarily due to its array of flavors, such as raspberry, lemon, apple, and bubblegum. A study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2021 found that e-cigarettes’ popularity decreases with age, with teens and young adults using them the most (Kramarow & Elgaddal, 2023). This problem continues to affect teenagers and should be addressed to reduce its effects. The principal objectives of this focus group are to conduct research on the effects of vaping, seek answers on how teenagers access e-cigarettes, and conduct an interview with a vape user to gain insight into their experience.
The focus group will primarily focus on teenagers who, according to the CDC, are the most chronic users of the product. Preferably, the group will analyze teen users between 14 and 18. This will allow the focus group to narrow the target population. Among all teen tobacco users, 7.7% of them use e-cigarettes compared to just cigarettes at 1.6% (FDA, 2023). These statistics further prove the notion that e-cigarettes are cool.
The group will utilize the local police department’s social media presence to recruit ten participants. This will allow the department to vet the participants on the group’s behalf since it is ideal to have outstanding members of the community. The focus group meetings will be held at the community library thrice per week in the evenings. The location will not only the serenity but also the necessary research tools on the problem.
There are several questions prepared for the participants: What do you think about the vaping problem facing the community? How does this problem affect the mental health of teenagers? What do you think are the necessary steps to take to curb the vaping problem among teenagers within the community? These questions will be crucial in gaining insight into the problem and allow several points of view to be made.
Since members of the group come from all walks of life, it is crucial to consider confidentiality. All members must agree to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) especially since personal experiences may be given. This will prevent sensitive materials from leaking to the press or other members of the community.
The group will appoint two participants: one as a moderator and the other as a note-taker. The rest will be tasked with providing insight into the vaping problem within the community although the moderator and note taker’s insights will also be embraced. The information acquired will be used to inform the local police department of any store or individual that could be selling vapes illegally to teenagers. This will increase the chances of reducing the availability of e-cigarettes among teenagers.
Information shared by the focus group will be evaluated by utilizing other researchers’ findings on the vaping problem both at the state and federal level. These can be independent researchers, organizations, or scholars. It is crucial to compare the information with these researchers to determine patterns with the social problem in the country. After the evaluation process, it is crucial to scale the scope of the social problem within the community. The degree of addiction among teen users will be a crucial determiner for campaigning for a policy change at the local and state level. The focus group, which mostly consists of parents, has the responsibility to demand changes that will make the community a better place for their children.
References
FDA. (2023, February 11). Results from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/results-annual-national-youth-tobacco-survey
Kramarow, A. E. & Elgaddal M. S. N. (2023). Current Electronic Cigarette Use Among Adults Aged 18 and Over: United States, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db475.pdf#:~:text=In%202021%2C%204.5%25%20of%20adults%20aged%2018%20and,e-cigarette%20use%20overall%20and%20among%20adults%20aged%2025%E2%80%9344.
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