Abstract
Electronic cigarette use has continued to rise among youth and young adults in the United States. Between 2020 and 2023, the percentage of adults aged 18 and older who used electronic cigarettes increased from 3.7% to 6.5% (CDC, 2025). Furthermore, there are reported differences across age groups, with 1 in 6 young adults aged 21–24 using e-cigarettes, also commonly known as vaping. In 2016, the Surgeon General’s report identified escalating e-cigarette use among youth and young adults as a critical public health concern and stressed the importance of targeted prevention initiatives (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016). Considering these continued high rates, examining the determinants of e-cigarette use intentions and behaviors is critical, as such insights provide the foundation for developing effective prevention and cessation strategies. Grounding interventions in theory enhances their effectiveness, as health communication campaigns based on behavioral models are more impactful than those without (Randolph & Viswanath, 2004). This dissertation applied the integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP) to identify key predictors of e-cigarette use intentions and guide intervention development among young adults aged 18–34. Following procedures outlined by Fishbein and Ajzen (2010), this study examined the predictors of intentions to engage in electronic cigarette use. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with e-cigarette users (vapers), non-users (non-vapers), and former users (ex-vapers) (n = 20). Phase 2 involved a larger sample of young adults (n = 510) who completed a cross-sectional survey with items developed from the formative interviews.