Quit journey lessons: qualitative insights from men in Qatar who formerly vaped

Vaping among in Qatar is a growing public-health concern, especially among men. Evidence on effective cessation strategies and relapse triggers—especially among older adults in the Middle East—is limited. This qualitative study noted the motivations, quitting strategies, and relapse drivers among Young Adults (YAs, 18–30 years old) and Older Adults (OAs, 31 years or older) who successfully stopped vaping. Between May and June 2025, purposive recruitment used Qatar University email lists and paid social media ads. Thirteen males abstinent for ≥ 30 days completed semi-structured online interviews (30–45 min) in Arabic or English. A phenomenological approach guided analysis; transcripts were coded in ATLAS.ti and themes developed using Braun and Clarke’s framework. Saturation was reached at interview 12 (n = 13). Three themes emerged: social influences (inside and outside the workplace), health-centered decisions, and intrapersonal factors. YAs reported stronger peer influence, immediate social pressure at gatherings, sensory and experiential motives (flavors, vapor clouds, nicotine “boost”), and greater price sensitivity. OAs emphasized cumulative health concerns, spousal encouragement, and workplace stress as primary drivers to quit. Across groups, facilitators included family/spousal support, exercise, willpower/self-restraint, and step-down nicotine strategies (including leveraging fasting). Common relapse triggers were negative emotions (stress, anxiety, depression), sensory/ritual cues, unsupportive peer or household environments, and the discreteness of vaping enabling covert use. Male YAs and OAs in Qatar share cessation facilitators but follow age-differentiated pathways. Interventions maybe age-tailored: YAs may benefit from reducing product appeal (pricing, flavor limits), peer-resistance skills, and sensory substitutes; OAs from health-focused messaging, spousal and workplace supports, and clinically guided nicotine tapering or NRT. Family engagement, exercise promotion, sleep-hygiene, and culturally congruent strategies (e.g., Ramadan-based tapering) could strengthen cessation across age groups. The comparisons by age group are to be interpreted with caution due to the small study sample.