{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,1]],"date-time":"2026-08-01T00:44:14Z","timestamp":1785545054389,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"JMIR Publications Inc.","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J Med Internet Res"],"abstract":"Abstract<\/jats:title>\n \n Background<\/jats:title>\n Youth vaping has become a significant public health concern, with high rates of initiation, nicotine dependence, and a tendency to underestimate vaping-related harms. Although many youth attempt to quit, most do so without formal support, and few report leveraging cessation apps. Mobile health tools have potential as accessible youth-oriented supports; yet, little is known about youth experiences with these interventions.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objective<\/jats:title>\n This study aims to explore Canadian youth perceptions and experiences of vaping cessation mobile apps, focusing on preferences, perceived utility, and recommendations for improvement.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n A qualitative descriptive design guided by a constructivist paradigm was used. Overall, 17 semistructured interviews were conducted with youth aged 16\u201024 years from British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec in fall 2022. Eligible participants had current or past vaping experience, had attempted or wanted to quit, and had used a cessation app. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis, with reflexivity supported through team-based coding and iterative discussions.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n Three themes described youth experiences. \u201cQuitting on my Own Terms\u201d reflected the importance of individual agency and commitment to quitting. While there were varied views on apps supporting their agency with cessation, the youth agreed that intrinsic motivation was the most critical element in their cessation journey. \u201cParallel Experiences- Differing Views on Community\u201d captured ambivalence toward in-app social features: while some valued peer support, others preferred to quit privately or used broader online platforms, like Reddit. \u201cPocket-sized Partners in Cessation\u201d highlighted the usefulness of quick access to features, such as progress tracking, motivational reinforcement, and gamification, as they engaged in the various stages of quitting (from contemplation through to commitment). However, participants stressed that the convenience of an app was not enough. Youth emphasized the need for apps that feel authentic, emotionally resonate, and are capable of balancing independence with opportunities for connection to social support.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n Youth want cessation apps that function as companions to help them leverage their motivation and efforts to quit, rather than as passive trackers. Effective app-based interventions should validate autonomy, account for nonlinear cessation journeys and relapses, and integrate supportive, interactive, and youth-friendly features. By addressing the preferences of youth in the design of vaping cessation apps, digital cessation tools can move beyond convenience to become meaningful companions in youths\u2019 efforts to quit vaping.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.2196\/85778","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,7]],"date-time":"2026-04-07T18:40:07Z","timestamp":1775587207000},"page":"e85778-e85778","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploring Vaping Cessation App Use Among Youth: Qualitative Descriptive Study"],"prefix":"10.2196","volume":"28","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1302-0732","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Karlee","family":"Fonteyne","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5983-477X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mischa","family":"Taylor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-0747-6468","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Roula","family":"Nawara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2297-8459","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Danielle","family":"Rodberg","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0688-927X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Tina","family":"Afshar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7175-7308","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Laura","family":"Struik","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1010","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,5]]},"reference":[{"issue":"524","key":"R1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.15620\/cdc\/174583","article-title":"Electronic cigarette use among adults in the United States, 2019-2023","author":"Vahratian","journal-title":"NCHS Data Brief"},{"issue":"41","key":"R2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"917","DOI":"10.15585\/mmwr.mm7341a2","article-title":"Tobacco product use among middle and high school students - National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2024","volume":"73","author":"Jamal","journal-title":"MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep"},{"issue":"2","key":"R3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e709","DOI":"10.1097\/PEC.0000000000002339","article-title":"Poor perception and knowledge of electronic cigarettes among adolescents and their parents","volume":"38","author":"Cohen","journal-title":"Pediatr Emerg Care"},{"issue":"7","key":"R4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"964","DOI":"10.1177\/08901171231189560","article-title":"Looking cool, doing tricks, managing stress, and nicotine addiction: youth perspectives on nicotine vaping and implications for prevention","volume":"37","author":"Crane","journal-title":"Am J Health Promot"},{"key":"R5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.abrep.2023.100509","article-title":"Factors that influence decision-making among youth who vape and youth who don\u2019t vape","volume":"18","author":"Struik","journal-title":"Addict Behav Rep"},{"key":"R6","unstructured":"Tobacco 21. US Food and Drug Administration. 2025. URL: https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/tobacco-products\/retail-sales-tobacco-products\/tobacco-21 [Accessed 05-04-2026]"},{"key":"R7","unstructured":"Tobacco and vaping products act, S.C. 1997, c. 13. Government of Canada. URL: https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/acts\/t-11.5\/FullText.html [Accessed 05-04-2026]"},{"issue":"6","key":"R8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"267","DOI":"10.5694\/mja2.51890","article-title":"Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: umbrella and systematic review of the global evidence","volume":"218","author":"Banks","journal-title":"Med J Aust"},{"issue":"1","key":"R9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amepre.2023.09.020","article-title":"E-cigarette dependence and depressive symptoms among youth","volume":"66","author":"Chaiton","journal-title":"Am J Prev Med"},{"issue":"3","key":"R10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1056\/EVIDoa2300229","article-title":"Population-based disease odds for e-cigarettes and dual use versus cigarettes","volume":"3","author":"Glantz","journal-title":"NEJM Evid"},{"key":"R11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addbeh.2020.106599","article-title":"\u201cIt\u2019s really addictive and I\u2019m trapped:\u201d a qualitative analysis of the reasons for quitting vaping among treatment-seeking young people","volume":"112","author":"Amato","journal-title":"Addict Behav"},{"key":"R12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/43096","article-title":"Strengths and limitations of web-based cessation support for individuals who smoke, dual use, or vape: qualitative interview study","volume":"7","author":"Struik","journal-title":"JMIR Form Res"},{"issue":"10","key":"R13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/28303","article-title":"E-cigarette cessation: content analysis of a quit vaping community on Reddit","volume":"23","author":"Struik","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"R14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.josat.2023.209038","article-title":"Learning from their experiences: strategies used by youth and young adult ex-vapers","volume":"149","author":"Al-Hamdani","journal-title":"J Subst Use Addict Treat"},{"key":"R15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addbeh.2023.107918","article-title":"E-cigarette and combustible cigarette cessation patterns, reasons, and methods among adolescents, young adults, and adults","volume":"150","author":"Lin","journal-title":"Addict Behav"},{"key":"R16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addbeh.2023.107787","article-title":"A systematic review of experimental and longitudinal studies on e-cigarette use cessation","volume":"146","author":"Amin","journal-title":"Addict Behav"},{"key":"R17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addbeh.2020.106687","article-title":"Is vaping cessation like smoking cessation? a qualitative study exploring the responses of youth and young adults who vape e-cigarettes","volume":"113","author":"Sanchez","journal-title":"Addict Behav"},{"key":"R18","unstructured":"Asselin G Bilodeau H Khalid A . Digital well-being: the relationship between technology use, mental health and interpersonal relationships. Statistics Canada; 2024. URL: https:\/\/publications.gc.ca\/collections\/collection_2024\/statcan\/222000012024001-eng.pdf [Accessed 21-05-2026]"},{"issue":"5","key":"R19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2023-062948","article-title":"Adoption of vaping cessation methods by US adolescent e-cigarette users","volume":"152","author":"Dai","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"issue":"3","key":"R20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"382","DOI":"10.1136\/tc-2024-058798","article-title":"Vaping cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"35","author":"Heshmati","journal-title":"Tob Control"},{"key":"R21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/55177","article-title":"Assessing the quality and behavior change potential of vaping cessation apps: systematic search and assessment","volume":"12","author":"McKay","journal-title":"JMIR Mhealth Uhealth"},{"issue":"3","key":"R22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/31309","article-title":"Smartphone apps for vaping cessation: quality assessment and content analysis","volume":"10","author":"Sanchez","journal-title":"JMIR Mhealth Uhealth"},{"key":"R23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/76983","article-title":"Exploration of digital interventions for vaping cessation: scoping review","volume":"27","author":"Fonteyne","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"R24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/79674","article-title":"Youth and young adults\u2019 perspectives on augmented reality\u2013driven vaping cessation interventions: interpretive description study","volume":"2","author":"Fonteyne","journal-title":"JMIR XR Spatial Comput"},{"issue":"4","key":"R25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/33640","article-title":"Preferences for mobile-supported e-cigarette cessation interventions among young adults: qualitative descriptive study","volume":"6","author":"Huma","journal-title":"JMIR Form Res"},{"issue":"3","key":"R26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/17046","article-title":"Mobile apps for health behavior change in physical activity, diet, drug and alcohol use, and mental health: systematic review","volume":"8","author":"Milne-Ives","journal-title":"JMIR Mhealth Uhealth"},{"key":"R27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/59997","article-title":"User perceptions of e-cigarette cessation apps: content analysis of app reviews","volume":"27","author":"Rodberg","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"R28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pilarska J . The constructivist paradigm and phenomenological qualitative research design. In: Research Paradigm Considerations for Emerging Scholars. Channel View Publications Ltd; 2021. [doi: 10.2307\/jj.22730542.10]","DOI":"10.2307\/jj.22730542.10"},{"issue":"1","key":"R29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1002\/nur.20362","article-title":"What\u2019s in a name? qualitative description revisited","volume":"33","author":"Sandelowski","journal-title":"Res Nurs Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"R30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1002\/capr.12360","article-title":"Can I use TA? Should I use TA? Should I not use TA? Comparing reflexive thematic analysis and other pattern\u2010based qualitative analytic approaches","volume":"21","author":"Braun","journal-title":"Couns and Psychother Res"},{"issue":"3","key":"R31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"328","DOI":"10.1080\/14780887.2020.1769238","article-title":"One size fits all? what counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis?","volume":"18","author":"Braun","journal-title":"Qual Res Psychol"},{"key":"R32","unstructured":"Braun V Clarke V . Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide. SAGE Publications Ltd; 2022. ISBN: 9781473953246"},{"key":"R33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addbeh.2021.107167","article-title":"School-based e-cigarette cessation programs: what do youth want?","volume":"125","author":"Bold","journal-title":"Addict Behav"},{"issue":"3","key":"R34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"457","DOI":"10.1093\/ntr\/ntae222","article-title":"Co-designing a vaping cessation program for Australian young adults: a conceptual model","volume":"27","author":"Rahman","journal-title":"Nicotine Tob Res"},{"issue":"12","key":"R35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/42538","article-title":"Perceptions and aspirations toward peer mentoring in social media-based electronic cigarette cessation interventions for adolescents and young adults: focus group study","volume":"6","author":"Lyu","journal-title":"JMIR Form Res"},{"issue":"5","key":"R36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/jmir.6681","article-title":"Harnessing Facebook for smoking reduction and cessation interventions: Facebook user engagement and social support predict smoking reduction","volume":"19","author":"Kim","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"issue":"2","key":"R37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"147","DOI":"10.1177\/0163278714521812","article-title":"Emerging adulthood: developmental period facilitative of the addictions","volume":"37","author":"Sussman","journal-title":"Eval Health Prof"},{"issue":"6","key":"R38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"477","DOI":"10.3109\/16066359.2016.1170815","article-title":"Relationship of autonomy social support to quitting motivation in diverse smokers","volume":"24","author":"Patten","journal-title":"Addict Res Theory"},{"issue":"1","key":"R39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/34429","article-title":"Assessment of social support and quitting smoking in an online community forum: study involving content analysis","volume":"6","author":"Struik","journal-title":"JMIR Form Res"},{"issue":"7","key":"R40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/jmir.3189","article-title":"The role of Facebook in Crush the Crave, a mobile- and social media-based smoking cessation intervention: qualitative framework analysis of posts","volume":"16","author":"Struik","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"}],"container-title":["Journal of Medical Internet Research"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.jmir.org\/2026\/1\/e85778","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,31]],"date-time":"2026-07-31T22:25:43Z","timestamp":1785536743000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.jmir.org\/2026\/1\/e85778"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,5]]},"references-count":40,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2196\/85778","relation":{},"ISSN":["1438-8871"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1438-8871","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,5]]},"article-number":"v28i524e85778"}}