Perceptions and Attitudes Surrounding Vaping: In-Person Versus On Zoom

The project investigated the the behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes surrounding vaping, specifically, in differences between in-person lecture interactions and those on Zoom. Data was collected and analyzed from undergraduates at Cornell University for the course INFO 4450: Computer-Mediated Communication.


The course investigated how CMC technologies shape communication in a multidisciplinary way.


COLLABORATORS

ADVISOR

INSTITUTION

DATE

Lexi Valachovic, Victoria Stephens, Elisabeth Kim,

Matthew Yang,

Camila Orr

Dr. Susan Fussell

Cornell University, Department of Information Science / Communications

March - May 2023

    Overview

    2. Research + Findings

    Poster Presenation

    Reflections

  1. OVERVIEW

This study explores college students' perceptions and attitudes toward vaping across two settings: in-person and Zoom. Amidst rising vaping trends, this research highlights the differing levels of acceptance and awareness of vaping in these environments, with potential implications for remote behavior monitoring and health education strategies.

Research objectives

Investigate Vaping Perceptions: Examine college students' social perceptions and judgments surrounding vaping in physical versus virtual environments.

Identify Environmental Influences: Analyze how in-person and Zoom settings affect the social acceptability and detection of vaping behaviors.

Inform Behavioral Interventions: Utilize insights to support anti-vaping campaigns and policies within educational institutions.

  1. RESEARCH + FINDINGS

We conducted user research through interviews and field studies with current users and administrators of Prisoner's Express, focusing on understanding their workflows and identifying friction points in the existing system.

Medthodology

Participants

  • Sample: 16 Cornell University undergraduate students, aged 18+, with a convenience sampling of peers.

  • Demographics: Predominantly over age 21, with 70% female representation.

Data Collection

  • Survey Tool: Qualtrics, containing Likert-scale questions on attitudes, frequency, and visibility of vaping across settings.

  • Design: Within-subjects design, each participant responding to identical questions regarding in-person and Zoom settings.

Key Measures

  • Attitudes: Likert-scale responses on vaping’s social acceptability, professionalism, and perceived risk.

  • Visibility: Frequency of vaping observation and ease of identification across settings.


Key findings

General Perceptions of Vaping

  • Negative Attitudes: Participants rated vaping as socially unacceptable, risky, and unprofessional in both settings, with a slight preference for disapproval in in-person settings.

  • Environment Comparison: Although both settings elicited negative views, participants were less likely to identify vaping on Zoom due to limited visibility.

Vaping Prevalence and Identification

  • In-Person: Non-vapers reported a high frequency of visible vaping incidents (mean score: 7.5/10).

  • Zoom: Significantly lower visibility, with a mean score of 0.93, showing a marked decrease in vape detection in virtual environments.

Behavioral Responses to Vaping

  • No Desire to Vape: Regardless of setting, non-vapers were not tempted to begin vaping upon seeing others vape.

  • Peer Influence: Some participants expressed a desire to discourage vaping behavior in others, particularly when observed on Zoom.

Note. Mean score of the overall perception of vaping out of 10. 1=Not socially acceptable, 10=Very socially acceptable.


Note. Mean scores are derived from responses out of 10 for each statement. 1=Strongly disagree, 5=Strongly agree

*Note. All scores are from only 14 non-vaping participants.


Note. Table compares mean scores of how easy it is to identify vaping in-person environments and on Zoom out of 10, and how often it is seen out of 10 by Vapers vs. Non-Vapers.

Implications

  • Health Messaging: With vaping being viewed negatively, promoting peer disapproval could help deter new vapers.

  • Remote Behavior Shielding: Vaping participants noted they preferred vaping privately, suggesting that the privacy of remote settings may facilitate unhealthy habits unnoticed by peers or authorities.

Limitations

  • Sample Bias: Small, predominantly female sample size limits generalizability.

  • Self-Reporting Issues: Legal restrictions on vaping may have impacted participants’ willingness to share honest insights about their habits.


Conclusion + Future Research


This study underscores the nuanced perceptions and visibility of vaping across different environments, advocating for adaptive, setting-sensitive health policies and educational interventions. Further research should broaden participant demographics and explore the social media influence on vaping behavior to deepen our understanding of these trends among young adults.

FINAL RESEARCH POSTER

We shared our findings with our peers with a poster presentation outlining our research.

Research Poster

REFLECTIONS

Reflecting on my research on vaping perceptions, I recognize the value of understanding human behavior, motivations, and social influences—skills that are fundamental in UX research and design. This project honed my ability to empathize with diverse user experiences, analyze qualitative data for patterns, and approach sensitive topics with respect and neutrality. By studying how perception shapes behavior, I deepened my awareness of how design can guide user interactions and address nuanced needs. These insights helped to reinforce my approach as a UX/UI researcher, encouraging me to create more thoughtful, user-centered experiences.