Beijing Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2026 Jun 18;58(3):575-583.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Based on protection motivation theory (PMT), this study aimed to examine the current status of e-cigarette cessation intention and cessation behavior, as well as their associated factors, among adult e-cigarette users in China.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The data were derived from a nationwide “E-cigarette Use Survey” conducted in 2023, covering 31 provinces (municipality, autonomous region) in China. A total of 550 current e-cigarette users aged 18-44 years were selected as the study population. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, multiple linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with e-cigarette cessation intention, while binary Logistic regression models were applied to examine factors associated with e-cigarette cessation behavior. In addition, subgroup analyses were conducted according to smoking status to explore potential differences among exclusive e-cigarette users and dual users of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes.
RESULTS: The mean score of e-cigarette cessation intention was 3.52±0.96, and 31.64% of participants reported having attempted to quit e-cigarettes. After adjustment for covariates, cessation intention was associated with both the threat appraisal and coping appraisal pathways within the PMT framework. Specifically, in the threat appraisal pathway, severity (β=0.14) and vulnerability (β=0.12) were positively associated with cessation intention, whereas perceived extrinsic rewards (β=-0.12) were negatively associated. In the coping appraisal pathway, both response efficacy (β=0.26) and self-efficacy (β=0.28) were positively associated with cessation intention. Regarding cessation behavior, only severity (OR=1.58) in the threat appraisal pathway was positively associated, and cessation intention was also positively associated with cessation behavior. Subgroup analyses further showed that, regardless of smoking status, cessation intention was positively associated with both the threat appraisal pathway (β=0.20, β=0.31) and the coping appraisal pathway (β=0.23, β=0.21).
CONCLUSION: PMT provides a valuable theoretical framework for understanding e-cigarette cessation among adults. Factors related to the threat appraisal pathway are associated not only with cessation intention but also with actual cessation behavior. More-over, the associations of PMT-related factors vary across different smoking status subgroups. These findings suggest that future e-cigarette control policies and interventions could focus on enhancing risk perception and cognitive awareness, and develop more targeted cessation strategies for specific subgroups.
PMID:42287053
