Barriers and facilitators to nicotine and cannabis vaping cessation among young adults: a qualitative study using Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Nguyen N, Satterfield JM, Keyhani S, Marcus GM, Ling PM. Barriers and facilitators to nicotine and cannabis vaping cessation among young adults: a qualitative study using Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. 2025 Jan 4; 59(1):DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaaf096.

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Despite young adults'' growing use of nicotine and cannabis vaporized products (vaping), little is known about factors influencing vaping cessation. PURPOSE: Identify barriers and facilitators to nicotine and/or cannabis vaping cessation among young adults (18-29 years old). METHODS: We conducted a thematic analysis of interviews with 20 California young adults (mean age = 22.8, racially and ethnically diverse) who vaped nicotine and/or cannabis (specifically delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) in 2024-2025. We mapped cessation-related barriers and facilitators to Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior model and Theoretical Domains Framework. RESULTS: Young adults expressed stronger motivation to stop vaping nicotine than cannabis. Psychological Capability barriers involved a lack of self-control over nicotine vaping. Physical Opportunity factors, such as product accessibility and treatment unaffordability, hindered quitting, while the cost burden of vaporized products was a facilitator. Social Opportunity included both barriers (ie, socialization) and facilitators (ie, protection of loved ones or relationships). Automatic Motivation barriers included habitual use and addiction, while negative emotion toward vaping harms facilitated quitting. Reflective Motivation included the most identified factors for barriers (eg, low perceived risk of vaping, coping with mental health, and personal identity linked to vaping) and facilitators (eg, quitting desire and concerns about health and vaporized product quality). Most factors influencing vaping cessation overlapped for nicotine and cannabis. Substance-specific barriers for nicotine (ie, self-control, oral fixation, and flavor appeal) and cannabis (ie, perceived benefits) were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide insights into potential targets for future interventions to help young adults quit vaping nicotine and/or cannabis.