Adherence to Pharmacological Therapy for Hypertension in Portugal: Insights from Patients' Focus Groups.

Young adults (YAs, 18–24-year-olds) represent the most common age group to have tried or currently use vapes (e-cigarettes), which is disproportionate to other age groups. In Australia, 21% of YAs currently vape, a fourfold increase from 2019 to 2022–2023. While vapes were originally positioned as smoking cessation aids for adults, the tobacco and vaping industry promotes them to appeal to young people. YA cite factors such as curiosity, flavors, and social norms as reasons for initiating vaping, rather than for smoking cessation. The majority (58%) of Australian YAs who have ever vaped report having never smoked prior to vaping for the first time. Despite growing evidence that vaping increases the risk of cigarette smoking uptake, YAs may underestimate the associated harms of vaping and perceive vapes as less risky than traditional cigarettes. With young adulthood critical in establishing health behaviors that continue into later adulthood, there is concern for YAs who develop a nicotine addiction. About one-third (32%) of YAs who currently vape report being unable to stop or reduce their vape use, despite wanting to or having tried. High vaping frequency may indicate nicotine addiction, with 26% of YAs who currently vape reporting daily use. YAs who vape may underestimate the addictiveness of vapes, particularly compared to non-users. Given the prevalence of YA vaping and concerns about addiction, encouraging and supporting cessation is important. YAs report a desire to quit vaping, with 33% having made a quit attempt and 41% intending to quit, but have distinct needs which further complicate quit attempts. Vape use patterns vary among YAs, with both high and low levels of vaping commonly reported, Despite admitting to regular vaping, 29% of YAs do not identify as ‘vapers’, suggesting they may dissociate from the behavior, decreasing quitting intentions. Other vaping cessation barriers for YAs are social influences and poly-product use, including other tobacco products or marijuana alongside vaping.