A Qualitative Exploration of Parental Interventions in E-Cigarette Cessation among Adolescents

Objective: The rising prevalence of e-cigarette use among Malaysian adolescents could expose them to long-term health risks. In addressing the rising issues of adolescent e-cigarette consumption, it is crucial to explore the current parental interventions for smoking cessation. This qualitative study examines parental interventions for adolescents using e-cigarettes and identifies the challenges in implementing these interventions. Material and Methods: The study employed semi-structured interviews to gather data from a sample of 14 parents residing in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. The individual interviews were conducted through online meetings on the Google Meet platform between April 2023 and June 2023. All data were subjected to thematic analysis using NVivo, whereby emerging themes were identified. Results: The findings revealed 3 primary themes concerning parental approaches: verbal counseling, direct interventions, and the adoption of a third-person approach. Furthermore, it underlined the challenges that impede parental prevention efforts, such as the child’s individuality and sense of self, the ease of accessing e-cigarettes, and the impact of the surrounding environment. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in preventing adolescent e-cigarette use and highlights the need for effective prevention initiatives through education, policy interventions, and community participation. By addressing the barriers, stakeholders, including policymakers, public health practitioners, and parents, can create targeted interventions to protect future generations’ health and well-being. This research emphasizes the need for parental education and a support framework that serves as guidance for effective parental interventions in adolescent e-cigarette smoking cessation efforts.