Environmental Influences on E-cigarette Use Among Young People
Abstract
E-cigarette use is a recent phenomenon that is growing in prevalence among young people. The devices often contain various substances, such as nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, and/or flavouring and other chemicals, which may lead to addiction, respiratory issues, and impact brain development. Recent studies have identified various features of neighbourhood environments that may be associated with e-cigarette use. This thesis explores elements of the neighbourhood environment that may be influential in e-cigarette use. It includes a systematic review that examines how neighbourhood environments influence e-cigarette use among young people. It also includes a geospatial analysis of how e-cigarette retailers are distributed throughout Middlesex, Oxford, and Elgin counties, in relation to school locations and neighbourhood characteristics and the potential impact of future policies restricting e-cigarette retailers. Findings from this thesis may be useful for informing effective and equitable policies to protect young people from e-cigarette use and the potential associated health risks.