Title: Development of a vape shop-based smoking cessation intervention
Funder: Cancer Research UK

Abstract: Background: E-cigarettes are the most commonly used smoking cessation aid in England, and specialist ‘vape shops’ are the most popular sources of e-cigarette products. Recent research has highlighted the potential for smoking cessation interventions to be delivered in a vape shop setting. Further research is required to understand the characteristics of a vape shop intervention that would appeal to and be most likely to be effective among both existing vapers and current smokers who do not use e-cigarettes. Aim: To identify the optimal way to deliver a vape shop-based smoking cessation intervention. The specific objectives of the study are to: • Assess current smokers’ and vapers’ attitudes towards delivering a vape-shop based smoking cessation intervention • Assess the views of smoking cessation providers, local, regional and national tobacco control leads and non-government organisations with an interest in tobacco control on delivering a vape-shop based cessation intervention • Identify the characteristics of an acceptable and feasible vape shop-based intervention • Identify the potential barriers and facilitators to delivering a vape shop-based intervention Methods: We will conduct qualitative interviews with stakeholders comprising four groups 1) vape shop owners, managers and employees, 2) vape shop customers, vapers currently not accessing specialist vape shops, smokers currently not using e-cigarettes, 3) smoking cessation service managers and advisors, and 4) local, national and regional tobacco control leads and non-governmental organisations with an interest in tobacco control. Interviews will explore the feasibility of delivering a cessation intervention in vape shops; approaches to delivering such an intervention, including the components it should comprise and how to reach and engage shops to support it and both vapers and non-vapers to use it. Interview data will be analysed using the framework approach. We will use these results to inform the design of a Delphi study which will seek to achieve consensus among a panel of experts (comprising the stakeholder groups mentioned above), on the characteristics of a vape shop smoking cessation intervention. How the results of this research will be used: The results will inform the development of a larger grant application to test the feasibility of delivering a smoking cessation intervention in vape shop settings. An effective vape shop-based intervention could play an important role in maximising the public health benefits of e-cigarettes.

Lay abstract: Background: E-cigarettes are the most commonly used smoking cessation aid in England, and specialist ‘vape shops’ are the most popular sources of e-cigarette products. Recent research has highlighted the potential for smoking cessation interventions to be delivered in a vape shop setting. Further research is required to understand the characteristics of a vape shop intervention that would appeal to and be most likely to be effective among both existing vapers and current smokers who do not use e-cigarettes. Aim: To identify the optimal way to deliver a vape shop-based smoking cessation intervention. The specific objectives of the study are to: • Assess current smokers’ and vapers’ attitudes towards delivering a vape-shop based smoking cessation intervention • Assess the views of smoking cessation providers, local, regional and national tobacco control leads and non-government organisations with an interest in tobacco control on delivering a vape-shop based cessation intervention • Identify the characteristics of an acceptable and feasible vape shop-based intervention • Identify the potential barriers and facilitators to delivering a vape shop-based intervention Methods: We will conduct qualitative interviews with stakeholders comprising four groups 1) vape shop owners, managers and employees, 2) vape shop customers, vapers currently not accessing specialist vape shops, smokers currently not using e-cigarettes, 3) smoking cessation service managers and advisors, and 4) local, national and regional tobacco control leads and non-governmental organisations with an interest in tobacco control. Interviews will explore the feasibility of delivering a cessation intervention in vape shops; approaches to delivering such an intervention, including the components it should comprise and how to reach and engage shops to support it and both vapers and non-vapers to use it. Interview data will be analysed using the framework approach. We will use these results to inform the design of a Delphi study which will seek to achieve consensus among a panel of experts (comprising the stakeholder groups mentioned above), on the characteristics of a vape shop smoking cessation intervention. How the results of this research will be used: The results will inform the development of a larger grant application to test the feasibility of delivering a smoking cessation intervention in vape shop settings. An effective vape shop-based intervention could play an important role in maximising the public health benefits of e-cigarettes.

Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: CANCER AND NEOPLASMS;CARDIOVASCULAR;RESPIRATORY;STROKE