E-CIGARETTE USE AMONG TEENAGERS LIVING IN SKIPPED GENERATION FAMILIES: PERSPECTIVES FROM NETWORK PARTNERS AND YOUTH

การใช้บุหรี่ไฟฟ้าของวัยรุ่นที่อาศัยในครอบครัวข้ามรุ่น: มุมมองจากภาคีเครือข่ายและเยาวชน

Abstract

E-cigarette use among Thai youth has been continuously increasing, particularly among students living in skipped-generation families (SGF), who are considered a highly vulnerable group. This mixed-methods survey research aimed to examine the situation and perspectives on e-cigarette use among youth living in SGF in Yangsisurach District, Maha Sarakham Province. The sample consisted of 308 lower secondary school students from SGF and 30 network partners. Data were collected using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that the prevalence of e-cigarette use among students was 23.70% (95% CI: 19.20–28.69). The most common location for first use was at a friend's house (12.01%). Students predominantly used disposable e-cigarettes (16.56%) and preferred fruit flavors (17.53%). Major risk factors identified included the generation gap in SGF that prevented elderly caregivers from monitoring their grandchildren's behaviors, peer influence and social trends, diverse product characteristics that were easy to conceal, easy accessibility through online channels, and vulnerable transitional developmental stages. Co-occurring risk behaviors were also found, including cigarette smoking (25.00%) and alcohol consumption (45.78%). Based on the findings, network partners recommended targeted prevention strategies following the SREIM framework, including strengthening SGF, controlling distribution sources, implementing proactive prevention from primary school level, systematically integrating efforts across all sectors, and developing continuous surveillance and monitoring systems.