1

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Introduction

A radical new group of smoker has no intention of quitting. Instead, they believe their

addiction can save the lives of millions who puff away at cigarettes everyday this is justified by

the perceptions of the majority of vape users throughout the globe. “Vapers,” dedicated

enthusiasts of vape products, say the vapors they inhale, along with nicotine, are far safer than

the tar and raft of chemicals in tobacco cigarettes, while still supplying the same nicotine buzz.

This emerging subculture of smokers is obsessed with the customizable wizz-bang technology of

vape products. Some ‘vapers’ spend thousands to trick out their smoking pieces with the newest

upgrade (Daily Mail Reporter, 2013).

The youth are of particular concern with regard to the rising popularity of vaping.

College students were among the group which belong to critical age group noted that are as

substance user and smokers, thus, Smokers are higher among these group. Individuals as the

primary experimenters and regular users, hence, federal survey data collected in 2014 suggest

that older adults have had relatively little interest in vape products. This finding supports with the

recently released report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that in

2014, 3.7 percent of American adults used vape products on a regular basis. That figure

represents more than 9 million adult consumers, according to the U.S Census Bureau (Blair,

2015).

In the Philippines on the other hand has a very broad culture in the vaping world;

however there are barely any laws governing the act of vaping. The community has a lot of
 2

organized events which allows people of the Vaping world to meet and socialized among these

event was the “factasia” meet up held in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Metro Davao, this was done to

allow people of the vaping world to meet up and socialize, this only shows that more Filipinos

were indulged in vaping. There are also many customs that started vaping actually ended up

quitting cigarette and that most people who vape have gone months, or even full year, without

smoking (Infographic, 2015).

With the given scenario, the investigators want to determine the reasons behind their

indulgent on vaping and their health effect as they go through the act of vaping. Furthermore,

this study wants to identify the different ideas of the participants in terms of satisfaction with

their indulgent in vaping.

Theoretical Framework

To provide anchor and support for this research, the following theories will be used:

Health Expanding Consciousness Theory by Margaret Newman (Year) and Maslow’s

Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow (1970).

This study is anchored to Margaret Newman’s Health as Expanding Consciousness

Theory which states that stimulation by concern for those whom health as the absence of disease

or disability is not possible. This theory also denotes that every person is part of the universal

process of expanding consciousness and that an individual is becoming more aware of oneself, of

finding greater meaning of life, and of reaching new dimensions of connectedness with other

people and the world. Moreover, in this study consciousness regarding the participants owns

experiences, especially toward its health effects and satisfactions as vape user became a

realization. The participants therefore can possibly enhance their knowledge and may change any
 3

habits or patterns that will put their health at risk. Health care providers on the other hand can

raise the consciousness of the vape users regarding its benefits and its effects on health.

The theory of Abraham Maslow, Hierarchy of Needs (1970), states that there are new

measures created based on the operational definitions (1) to assess the satisfaction of each need,

(2) to assess their expected correlations (a) with each of the other needs and (b) with four social

and personality measures (i.e., family support, traditional values, anxiety/worry, and life

satisfaction), and (3) to test the ability of the satisfaction level of each need to statistically predict

satisfaction level of the next higher-level need. Significant positive correlations among the scales

were also found; that is, the more each lower-level need was satisfied, the more the next higher-

level need was satisfied.

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Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework shows the demographical data of the participants and their

reasons to indulge self in vaping as the independent variable that contributes to the determination

of the dependent variables such as participants’ experiences, including the participants’ health

effects and satisfaction.

Independent variable

Participants’ Profile
 Age Dependent Variable
 Gender
 Smoker or non-smoker
 Length of time using Participants’
vape
Experiences

Reasons for Vaping

 Alternative smoking
 Medicinal purpose
 Peer influence
 Cheaper than
traditional cigarettes
 Test the different
flavor
 Lessen nicotine Figure 1. The Schematic Diagram Showing the
addiction
Variables of the Study
 To become popular
 Lesser constraints
from the law
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Statement of the Problem

This study will be aiming to determine the experiences and satisfaction of vape users in

Marawi City.

Specifically this study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the following questions:

a. age;

b. gender;

c. smoker or non-smoker and

d. Duration of time using vape?

2. What are the reasons of the participants to indulge in the act of vaping?

3. What are the experiences of the participants while vaping in terms of:

a. health effects and

b. satisfaction?

Null Hypothesis

The investigators will be utilizing null hypothesis

1. There is no significant relationship between the participants’ demographic profile and

their vaping experience.

2. There is no relationship between the participants reason for vaping and their vaping

experiences
 6

Significance of the Study

The outcome of the study will be of great help to the following:

Healthcare Professionals. The result of this research study could possibly become one

of the basis in providing quality services and responding to the needs of the identified vape users

including their families and the community as well as to improve their quality of life through

reinforcing the information through health education, facts that can help formulate ideas for

better lifestyle practices.

Nursing Investigator. The outcome of this research study can add to the existing

knowledge of the identified vape users towards its different effects. Furthermore, the limitations

that would be derived from this study can be pursued by future researchers.

Community. The study will help the community to become more aware of the outcomes

as a result of vaping.

Participants. The participants will be aware of the possible health effects that can be

brought by vaping and to recognize their need of further empowerment and health education.

Scope and Limitation

This study will be focusing on the participants’ experience and satisfactions. Thirty (30)

participants were taken from each identified schools and barangays in Marawi City located

respectively in Mindanao State University Main Campus, Mindanao State University-University

Training Center Main Campus and Experimental, Barrio Green, and Barangay Datu Saber. A

total of thirty (30) individuals who indulges themselves in vaping for at least a week will be

taken as participants of this study. As well as tobacco smoker and those who have tried using
 7

vape years ago and stopped now. Data gathering will be conducted during weekends where the

participants have free time to be interviewed for the study.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined as they are used in this research study:

Age. Is the amount of time during which a person or animal has lived (Merriam-Webster,

2010-2018). It refers to the age of the participants of the studies.

Become Popular. It refers to boost the personality of one in using vape and to be well-

known.

Cheaper than Traditional Cigarettes. It refers to the economical price between the

vape and cigarette. In which cigarettes cost higher than the price of vape. And that, vape was

consumed longer than that of traditional cigarettes.

Effect. It refers to the result brought about by indulging self in vaping such as control of

blood pressure, weight gain, productive coughing, and shortness of breath, chest tightness, and

dizziness, relief of headache, improved concentration, normal breathing pattern and being

energetic.

Experience. It refers to participants feeling of satisfaction and the possible effect of

vaping to their health as they indulged themselves in this activity (vaping).

Gender. It refers to the sexual characteristics of the participants regardless of the state of

being female or male.

Health effects. Occurrence and manifestations of signs and symptoms after indulging

such as short term effect like control of blood pressure, weight gain, productive coughing,
 8

shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, relief of headache, improved concentration,

normal breathing pattern and being energetic.

Lessen Nicotine Addiction. It refers to the fact that cigarette has an higher amount of

poisonous substance of tobacco that it makes difficult to people to stop smoking. In the process,

the use of vape lessens its probability of becoming addictive for it has no nicotine.

Lesser Constraints from the Law. . It refers to the state of minor ordinance of the

society in using vape compared to using cigarette that may cause much harmful in environmental

society than vape.

Medicinal Purposes. It refers to the mental condition of the participants such as

depression which may help them to overcome their situation by using vape.

Peer Influence. It refers to the adaptation of the participants’ environmental condition in

their society which belongs to the same age or social group of a vape user.

Smokers or Non-smoker, It refers to the condition of the participants whether the

participants are both using cigarettes and electric cigarettes which emphasize to the smokers

while vape user or electric cigarette user refers to the a non-smoker only.

Test the Different Flavor. It refers to the curiosity of the participants in tasting each of

the flavors of the vape.

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter contains relevant literature and concepts providing insights and

comprehensive background to the study. This also represents readings collected by the

researchers from empirical studies and online.

History of Cigarette

The history of cigarettes dates back to as early as 4000 BC in the South America.

Smoking or chewing tobacco was a part of shamanistic rituals. And only hundreds years later

tobacco was introduced to the Europe. Probably the first European, who discovered the tobacco

plants, was Cristopher Columbus. The Indians presented him dried tobacco leaves. It is

remarkable that he didn’t smoke himself. Such gift wasn’t evaluated by the Europeans, and the

most part of the tobacco was thrown overboard. But some of the sailors learned from the

Aborigines what they did with that leaves and followed their example-packed the pipe with the

tobacco and smoked.

Tobacco wasn’t only smoked in the past. It was very popular to take snuff. Most smokers

don’t really get the full tobacco smell. It is known that one can feel the flavor of tobacco by

smelling it. Such tobacco enjoyment was very popular in Asia, Africa and America and

particularly in Europe. The advantage of snuff was that it was smoke-free and environmentally

friendly pleasure. It was considered that snuff kept one free from colds and gave relief from

catarrh and similar complaints.

Chewing tobacco was another type of smokeless tobacco enjoyment. The chewing of

tobacco was another type of smokeless tobacco enjoyment. The chewing of tobacco was
 10

widespread habit among the agricultural population of America before the war. Nowadays

chewing tobacco is very popular habit among the baseball players.

History of Vape

Vaping or vape is a term coined after abbreviating its root base vapor or vaporizer. It

originates from the Latin word vapor which means steam or heat.

Vaporizing has a long history. Herodotus describes, in Egypt (5th century B.C) people

were heating herbs and oils on hot stones to vape. The orator Cicero gave him the title “The

Father of History”. Therefore, we might have to trust him about the ancient origin of vape.

Unknown to many, in 1927 Joseph Robinson came up with the idea of an electronic

cigarette. However, it’s another name we relate to vaping. It was Herbert A. Gilbert who in 1963,

historical data says, came with the idea of vaping. And in 1965 he patented this invention.

According to an interview with Mr. Gilbert he said that it was kind of obvious that

inhaling burnt stuff was gross. So he did what normal human being would do and used “logic” to

create a smoking alternative that didn’t rely on the need for combustion.

The modern e-cigarette was invented in 2003 by Chinese Pharmacist Hon Lik, and as of

2015 most e-cigarette are made in China. Since they were first sold in 2004 their global use has

risen exponentially. In the United Kingdom their use is widespread. Reasons for using e-

cigarettes involve trying to quit smoking, reduce risk, or save money, through some use them

recreationally. As of 2014, the majority of users still smoke tobacco. There are concerns that dual

use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes may “delay or deter quitting”. European directive of

2016 set standard for liquids, vaporizers, ingredients and child-proof liquid containers. There are

around 500 brands of e-cigarette, with global sales in excess of US$7 Billion. (Wikipedia.com)
 11

Experience in Vaping

The act of vaping is defined as inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by a vaporizer

(or a vapor cigarette). While the act of vaping existed throughout the history, the word is quite

contemporary; believe it or not the word “vape” was selected as The Oxford Dictionaries Word

of the Year for 2014, due to increasing usage of e-cigarettes. The first usage of the word,

however, is noted before the habit of vaping in its contemporary e-cig form even existed.

(Vaping Guru, 2017)

Federal survey data collected in 2014 suggest that older adults have had relatively little

interest in vape products, with individuals younger than 25 being the primary experimenters and

regular users. Data from the National Health Interview survey of adults, summarized in a report

published by Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health

Statistics, showed that respondents in the 18-24 age range were far more likely than older age

groups to have tried vape products at least once. “Although fewer than 4% of adults who had

never smoked conventional cigarettes had ever tried a vape product, nearly 1 in 10 never-

smokers age 18-24 had tried vape products at least once,” the report noted. In contrast, the

lifetime prevalence among never-smokers in the 45-64 age range was 1.2% and among those 65

and older it was 0.2%. Overall, 12.6% of all respondents had tried a vape product at least once in

their lives (Firth, 2015).

In terms of whether women or men do more vaping, men outnumbers their counterpart..

Making up about 88% of the vaping community, men dominate with their love of vape products

and flavored e-liquids. But women aren’t totally discounted because they make up 12% of the

population, and that number will continue increasing a vaping becomes more popular. After all,

when it comes to smoking, there are plenty of women who enjoy cigarettes, so it’s highly
 12

probable that they’d also enjoy vaping. In fact, women may appreciate the benefits of vaping

more than men do once they get to know the products available, especially since there are so

many deliciously flavored and scented e-liquids that would directly appeal to women. The

majority of people who vape used to smoke 11 to 20 cigarettes daily, followed by those who

used to smoke 21 to 40 cigarettes daily. Only a small group of vapers never smoked cigarettes

prior to vaping. Also the majority smokers who started vaping actually ended up quitting

cigarettes altogether. Most people who vape have gone months, or even a full year, without

smoking (Vape Supremo, 2015).

In analyzing the vaping community on a whole, it’s also important to note just how long

people have been vaping. Some may be beginners and may end up leaving vaping behind, while

others may be long-term vapers who intend to continue vaping long-term for years to come. The

group of vapers who’ve only been vaping for 0 to 6 months make up the majority of the

community. The second largest segment has been vaping for 6 months, while the third largest

segment has been vaping anywhere from 1 to 1 ½ years. The smallest segments of the

community consist of those who’ve been vaping for 2 to 2 ½ years or 3 ½ years or more,

respectively. It’s probably safe to assume that these stats are the way they are because vaping is

fairly new and has only been gaining a lot or more popularity over the last couple of years. As

vaping becomes more well-known and accessible to a larger population and as people continue

to vape longer periods of people use vaping short-term just to quit smoking (Vape Supremo,

2015).

As people indulge themselves in the act of vaping it is important to know as to why they

have decided to do it. The following statements will be the reasons behind their decision to vape.
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Effects of vaping

“There is no question that a puff on an e-cigarette is less dangerous than a puff on a

conventional cigarette,” said Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine and the director of the

Center of Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San

Francisco.

E-cigarettes create a vapor rather than produce a tobacco smoke; they generally deliver

less nicotine to users than cigarettes do. (Nierenberg, 2016)

However, this doesn’t mean the devices always represent a safer step down from

cigarettes. In fact, one of the most dangerous things about e-cigarettes is that they may keep

people smoking conventional cigarettes longer, rather than encourage them to attempt to quit.

Although estimates vary, anywhere from 70 to 90 percent of e-cigarette users are “dual-users,”

meaning they continue to smoke regular cigarettes after they begin vaping. (Nierenberg, 2016)

But regardless of how the nicotine is delivered- whether through e-cigs or conventional

cigarettes- it still has effects on the body. In addition to the nicotine, e-cigs’ other chemicals may

also affect health. Research on the vapors emitted and inhaled from e-cigarettes has shown they

deliver particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs and that they are not the “harmless

water vapor” that marketers may claim, Glatnz told to Live Science. (Nierenberg, 2016)

But there is some evidence that e-cigarettes can have a substantial effect on blood

vessels, and may increase people’s heart attack risk in that way. (Nierenberg, 2016)
 14

Related Studies

International

Vapers were relatively have higher interest in vape products and that they indulged

themselves the act of vaping because of different reasons such as making vape as an alternative

to smoking, for medical purposes, because of influence among peers to be more popular, it is

considered as chapter than traditional cigarettes, its different e-juice flavors, to become popular,

to lessen nicotine addiction, and because it has lesser constraints from the law.

The most common reason why someone would turn to vaping is because they considered

vaping as an alternative to smoking nicotine fix. Hence Science has yet to answer whether vapor

cigarettes help people quit smoking or not and whether or not they are safer than the traditional

cigarettes but still may ex-smokers switch to vaping because they believe that it is a better,

healthier way get their nicotine fix. On the other hand, there are several reasons why people

prefer vape products over other methods of nicotine intake among these are the use of patches

and chewing of gums.

According to the study of Vaping Guru in 2017 entitled “What is Vaping?”, there are

also several pieces of research and scientific studies have indicated that vape products are

considerably less hazardous than the traditional tobacco cigarettes because they don’t contain tar

or any of the dozens of carcinogens found in tobacco. Nonetheless, vape products are very

similar to cigarettes or cigars as they offer an extremely similar sensation as smoking with soft

chewable tips like cigarettes it is also give a similar throat hit as well as lung bit, contain

nicotine, are easy to use, and require minimal maintenance.

 15

Vaping is done with a dry herb vaporizer that draws the active ingredients out of herbal

material such as medical marijuana. This is justified by the research conducted in the University

of California San Francisco which shows that vaporizing marijuana preserves the THC and

reduces the exposure to carbon monoxide and other combustion by products. The use of this that

vaporizer for accessing the medicinal ingredients is something used in hospitals where THC is

administered as a medicine. It is for this reason that other individual use of vape for medical

purposes. This is also congruent to the study of McConnell (2016) that started that vaporizers are

the best way to access medical benefits.

Another one is the study of Dolores in 2017 entitled “Peer Influence on Adolescent

Vaping”, among the reasons why individual indulged themselves in vaping is the influence made

by peers and colleagues. Peer influence has long been known as a major risk factor especially

among adolescence. As a rigorous meta-analysis of 75 longitudinal teen vaping studies published

findings psychological which reveals that having friends who vape doubles the risk of children

ages 10 to 19 to start vaping and continue vaping, and that peer influence is more powerful in

collectivist cultures.

An article entitled “The 6 Leading Benefits Electronic Vaping has over Traditional

Cigarettes” posted on 2012 also denotes that an individual will certainly decide to vape because

other reasons as mentioned above include its cost. A person who indulged himself/herself in

vaping claimed that vaping is much cheaper than traditional cigarettes. One can certainly relate

to this point that cigarettes are expensive these days. In 1980, one could buy a good quality pack

of cigarettes for $2, by the 90’s, the cost had risen to $5, on average. Today, a good quality pack

of cigarettes will cost anywhere from $18 to $30. Some of this increase in cost can be attributed

to regular inflation or rising prices of production (tobacco) and even distribution (fuel). Taxes
 16

however play a big role too. Between all of this, a pack-a-day smoker can spend upward of $500

each month. And this doesn’t include the cost of other paraphernalia such ass lighters, ash trays

and much more while some of the entry costs of a starter kit may be a little bit higher, the month-

to-month cost of vaping is typically about 1/10th when compared to traditional cigarettes.

Cartomizers, Batteries and E-juice constitute the bulk of this expense, which can range anywhere

between $20 and $50 depending on how much one vape. (https://www.itsvaping

.com.au/pages/the-top-6-reasons-for-vaping)

Aspen Valley Vaes in 2017 states that vape users also indulged themselves more in

vaping because of the variety of E-juice flavors found. They wanted to test out all off the

different e-juice flavors. Whether one wants to try out Mod Milk Chocolate Milky Delight,

Sodalicious Wired, or outdoors smokes by Campfire. Thus, there is no shortage of delicious e-

juice on the market. However, vaping critics have touted all of the flavors as a negative thing and

that some people believe also that flavors are used to target underage kids, but the truth is that

the flavors were put into place to give vapers all of the options that they could ever ask for.

As Subur states on his study in 2017, there are other reasons include decrease in nicotine

content. Vape users prefer because this to lessen nicotine addiction. It was noted that more than

half of the current 2.9 million vape users have given up smoking as stated by Action on Smoking

and Health (ASH) said in its annual survey into the use of vape products. It was also observe that

many vapers still “dual-use” combustible and vape products, which mean they are still exposed

to the cancer causing substances in tobacco smoke. Ann McNeill, Professor of tobacco addiction

at King’s College London, said: This year’s Ash survey finds that around 1.5 million vapers are

ex-smokers, for the first time a larger number than those who continue to smoke. The survey

showed people were over-estimating the dangers to vaping, with only 13 per cent of respondents
 17

recognizing that e-cigarettes were a lot less harmful than smoking and more than a quarter (26

percent) thinking they were more or equally harmful.

Furthermore, other indulged them in vaping because they wanted to be popular. Majority

of the population today have been going through vaping for the reason that it has been a trend

especially among the younger generations, to become a part of the group, one must be do what

others do. The popularity of vaping throughout the globe has been a help to raise the popularity

of an individual or groups who indulged themselves in vaping, it helps them to look “cool” and

“awesome”, it also helps them to be in the “new”. This is justified by recent observations among

the younger generations whom we encountered while gathering the data.

Another one is the study of Eric A. Feldman in 2014 entitled “Layers of Law: The Case

of E-cigarette” have said that vaping proved to have lesser constraints from the law. So far,

governmental efforts have met with only limited success. Although vaping are not yet tarnished

by the powerfully negative view of combustible tobacco products, social norms about vaping are

still evolving. Neither those who use vaping, nor the population more generally have yet

determined the content of the use vaping in restaurants, in public parks, or around kids.

Unwritten rules of social conduct are also lacking when it comes to vaping use in homes,

workplaces, social setting, cinemas, stadiums, beaches, or at sporting events, and the jury is out

when it comes to the question of whether vaping is cool or ridiculous, sexy or silly, macho or

emasculating.

The reason of the participants became a way for them to indulged themselves in the act of

vaping, thus those individuals whom have been vaping for longer periods of time or those

beginners who just started to vape, can relate their selves with different experiences, highlighting
 18

the health effects they felt and have been through while vaping, the next topics will be relating

to those experiences.

Experience of the vape users, especially to the aspects of their health will be presented in

the following paragraphs. The reason of vape users have played a major role as to how vapers

have gone through the experiences that they felt while vaping.

In 2016, Tag proves on his research entitled “10 Shocking Health Risk of Vaping and E-

cigarette” that lipid pneumonia was found in a 42-years-old woman who had recently started

using vape products, causing the onset of her respiratory issues. This particular form of the

pneumonia is caused by an inflammatory reaction to the presence of lipid substances in the

lungs, or fat deposits found in lung tissue. Doctors linked the source of her infection to her recent

exposure to the glycerin-based oils found in the compounds of vape products’ vapor. After

abstaining from vape product use following her hospital visit, the patient’s respiratory conditions

improved considerably.

Scientist also has collected evidence of vape product lung impacts from a small number

of people. One study of 25 people, for insurance, found that smoking cigarettes and vaping had

the same short-term effects on the lungs. Both created signs of inflammation and lung damage

(Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2014).

The act of vaping lowers the body’s abilities to fight infection. Researchers at the

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill examined scraped cells recovered from the noses of

otherwise healthy participants who belonged to one of three groups: cigarettes smokers, vape

users, and a control group that neither vaped nor smoked. These researchers then measures the
 19

activity levels in the cells of 594 genes known to aid in immune system support and fighting off

infection.

A group of Harvard researchers found that common flavouring substance found in vape

liquid caused permanent and sometimes fatal scar build-up in the lungs. These flavouring

chemicals, 2.3-pentanedione and diacetyl, systematically destroys the lungs’ smallest airways,

resulting in a lung condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung”.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a press release in 2014 with

a title “ Flavorings: Related Lung Disease, Diacetyl” indicating that the number of calls into

poison centers involving e-juice was 215 times greater compared to 2010. The article further

explains that this poisoning occurs in three ways: ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the

eyes and skin. An even more alarming finding showed that over half of these emergencies

involved young children under the age of 5, one possible explanation being the candy and fruit

flavor varieties of these substances that children might be drawn to. These liquids are also found

to cause moderate to severe skin irritation when accidental exposure occurs, a legitimate concern

for users who use refillable cartridges.

And according to the study of Raloff that was published in 2015 entitled “Lung Cellular

and Molecular Physiology”, nicotine can cause inflammation in lung tissue. It also reduced that

tissue’s ability to serve as barrier to foreign substances, the researchers found. Irina Petrache, a

doctor and lung specialist at Indiana University in Indianapolis stated that the act of vaping can

harm the lung tissue. Vaping would be no better for the lungs than cigarette smoking.

Another study was conducted by Lindsey Konkel in 2017 with a title ”New Health Risk

of Vaping”, saying that inhaling pollution can irritate the lungs, and when the assaulting particles
 20

are breathed in regularly, the lungs tend to respond by triggering a cough that won’t go away,

explains McConnell at USC. Bronchiolitis may cause wheezing, too, and coughs that bring up

thick mucus known as phlegm. The germs that cause colds, flu and bacterial infection can

sometimes trigger bronchitis. So can breathing in heavily polluted air, tobacco smoke or certain

chemical fumes.

The experience of vape users among the globe have been of help to determine if their act

of vaping have been helpful for them to achieve their goals be feel the sense of satisfaction. The

succeeding paragraph will be about the satisfaction of the vapers while they indulge themselves

in the act of vaping.

Satisfaction is defined as the fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations, or needs or the

pleasure derived from one individuals act. In this study, the vape user’s satisfaction while vaping

will be presented their feeling of contentment and pleasure from the act of vaping will be much

emphasis.

According to Counterfactual in 2014 entitled “Vaping Testimonies”, an identified vape

user started that he have spent days researching about vape products, enhancing his knowledge

about vaping, while taking the chance of lowering his nicotine levels. Later, he had stated that he

had become 100% tobacco free and established that he will never smoke again. Becoming very

satisfied in the act of vaping, he began making his own coils and in the process found a new

hobby along with a lifesaving system.

A study regarding the vape users satisfaction level by Homish and G. Homish in 2017

entitled “Daily Users Compared to Less Frequent Users of Vape”, demonstrate that many self-

selected daily users of vaping products can find these products can find these products at least
 21

about as satisfying as cigarettes and the majority found them to be “much more satisfying than

cigarettes” as justified by the result which states that 58 of the participants reported vape as much

comparison to cigarettes and that there needs to be a push to get smokers to switch to these

products. They believe that vaping does not represent a satisfying product (in comparison to

cigarettes) would also support concerns that vape product use could constitute a casual ‘gateway’

to cigarettes.

Moreover, recent study in individuals with serious mental illness by Warner in 2017,

asked about satisfaction from vape products in comparison to cigarettes on a 5-point Likert-type

scale, one Kozlowski and Warner’s study, they found a very high satisfaction (averaging “4”)

during the last 2 weeks of the data gathering. The related concept of “enjoyment” has been found

to be an important correlate of regular us of vape products. Although there are some indications

of causal effects, the effects have been small with limited controls for confounding variables and

overall evidence for a causal gateway effect that could have a major effect on public health is

unconvincing. Evidence arising from secular trends in cigarette and vape product use does not

support that there is a gateway effect. The multi variable models support that levels of

satisfaction relative to cigarettes are a predictor of frequency of use of vape product.

Related Studies

Local

A study of Olivarez in 2014 states that there is one new means to overcome cigarette or

tobacco addiction that has been making an uproar recently—the use of electronic cigarettes, or

“e-cigarettes” are marketed as a safer alternative to regular cigarettes. The development of this

device was hinged on the belief that it is the key to help smokers stop their unhealthy habit
 22

without having to suffer the effects of sudden withdrawal, and it also eliminates the risk of other

people getting complication from second-hand smoke because e-cigarettes do not produce smoke

as a by-product.

According to the study of the Philippine Health Research Registry in 2016, a U.S. study

suggests that an adolescent with a regular vaping habit aren’t just more likely to take up

smoking; they also have higher odds of developing a heavy cigarette habit. Another possibility is

that the young people who ended up smoking by the end of the study were destined to ultimately

smoke anyway.

A study of Marq in 2017 said that vaping is now being endorsed by medical professionals

after a long term study about the effects of this alternative to ex-smokers. Electronic cigarettes

have nicotine, but they don’t contain the harmful toxins usually emitted by tobacco smoking like

carbon monoxide, and tar. Even so, people are still debating about the safeness of vaping in the

long run.

Moreover, a research of Phillip C. Tubeza in 2017 entitled “Cigarette Prices in PH still

among the lowest despite sin tax” says that in the Philippines setting, the passage of the sin tax

law, the prices of cigarettes in the Philippines remain among the lowest in Southeast Asia, an -

group uttered. Emer Rojas, President of New Vois Association of the Philippines, said the first

edition of the Association of Southest Assian Nasions (ASEAN) Tobacco Atlas showed that the

country continued to have one of the lowest prices of cigarette products in the region and even in

the world. An estimated 9.25 billion cigarette sticks are consumed by Asean smokers in a daily

basis, according to Seatca. According to the Tobacco Atlas, Filipino spends on estimated P326.4

million on cigarette products every month. Despite the huge expenditure on cigarette, the

government allots only P11.45 million to tobacco control.

 23

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the research design, locale of the study, the participants, the

instrumentation, the data gathering procedure and statistical tools as required.

Research Design

The study will be utilizing a mix approach. This design was used to determine the

participants’ experiences and satisfaction while indulging self to vaping. The quantitative part of

the study made use of descriptive study by the use of survey in which data are gathered from a

relatively large number of cases at a particular time. This will be particularly done in order to

described the demographic data of the participants such as their age, gender, if smoker or non-

smoker and length of time vaping. It also described the participants’ experience, in terms of

health, and the reasons for vaping. The qualitative part of the study made use of Focus Group

Discussion (FGD) in order to determine the satisfaction of the participants from vaping.

Locale of the Study

The research study will be conducted in Marawi City, officially known as the Islamic

City of Marawi and also dubbed as the Summer Capital of the South due to its cold climate, is

the capital city of the province of Lanao Del Sur. It has a total land area of 87.55 square

kilometers (8,755 hectares) located on the shores of Lake Lanao, Including the area where the

Agus River start. North of Marawi is bordered by the Municipalities of Kapai and Saguiran; to

the south by the Lake Lanao, on the east side to bind by the municipalities of Bubong and

Ditsaan Ramain; and to the west by the Municipality of Marantao.

Due to its geographical location and being considered as the urban center of the province,

Marawi City center not only the people from the city but also people from all over the province-
 24

providing the social, commercial, institutional, cultural and religious needs of the city and the

province of Lanao del Sur. Marawi City is also the center of education not only in the province,

but also all over Mindanao since Mindanao State University Main Campus is situated in the city

of Marawi. (CHO-Annual Operation Plan, 2015)

Moreover, the remaining of the city as “Islamic City of Marawi” was proposed in the

parliamentary Bill No. 261 in the defunct Batasang Pambansa reported to attract funds from

Middle East (Jubar, 2005; Ali, 2011). It has 96 Barangays and was further divided into five (5)

political district Based on Statistics. It has a total population of 198, 979 as of year 2014 with a

population growth rate of 2.96% (Census, 2014).

In particular, the Mindanao State University (MSU), Main Campus, Marawi City is an

institution of higher learning. It was created on September 1, 1961 by virtue of republic Act

1387, as amended and approved in 1957 and republic Act 1893. It strives to be the premier

supra-regional university geared towards the agro-industrial, ecological, socio-economic and

political development of Mindanao while achieving international recognition as a leading

institution of higher learning. Unlike other universities in the Philippines, it aims to set the

standards of excellence in science, arts, technology and other fields; accelerate the economic,

cultural, socio-political, and agro-industrial development of the Muslim and other cultural

groups, thereby facilitating their integration into the national community; preserve and promote

the cultural heritage of the region and conserve its rich natural resources; and, infuse moral and

spiritual values. (MSU-Main ARMM, 2016)

Buadi Sacayo, on the other hand, was formely known as Green, is a barangay in the city

of Marawi, in the province of Lanao del Sur. Its population as determined by the 2015 Census

was 3,020. This represented 1.50% of the total population of Marawi. (PhilAtlas, 2015)
 25

Navarro (Datu Saber), is one of the barangays in Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur,

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is located in Philippines. Its zip code is

9700.
 26

SPOT MAP MSU MAIN CAMPUS

Figure 2. Map of Mindanao State University, Marawi City

 27

SPOT MAP OF BARRIO GREEN

Figure 3. Map of Barrio Green, Marawi City

 28

SPOT MAP OF DATU SABER

Figure 4. Map of Barangay Datu Saber, Marawi City

 29

Participants of the Study

The participants of this study will be taken from each identified schools and Barangays in

Marawi City located respectively in MSU Main Campus, MSU-UTC Main and Experimental,

Buadi Sacayo (Green), and Navarro (Datu Saber), Marawi City. Initially thirty (30) individuals

were taken from each school and Barangay, specifically in MSU Main Campus, MSU-UTC

Main and Experimental, and Buadi Sacayo (Green) and in Navarro (Datu Saber), thus these were

the identified participants of the study who had been noted to be indulging in vaping and had

been a vape user years ago.

Research Instrument

The quantitative data will be gathered through the use of a survey questionnaire. In

formulating the tool for data gathering, the investigators read and reviewed the related literature

as basis in identifying variables in forming a tailored-fit questionnaire with the guidance of the

adviser. The questionnaire is composed of four parts. Part I Described the participants;

demographic data, this includes the age, gender, years of being smoker and the length of time in

using vape products. Part II is composed eight (8) item statements on the participants’ reason to

indulge self in the act of vaping. The participants may answer more than one of the statements

given as their reason.

Part III is composed of ten (10) item statement on the possible health effect of vaping on

the participants overall biological standing which presented below with its respective legend:

Score Mean Distribution Description Interpretation

1 1.0-1.49 Never I did not experience any health effects of vaping.

2 1.50-2.49 sometimes I sometimes experience the health effects of vaping.

 30

3 2.50-3.00 always I always experience the health effects of vaping.

Part IV is composed of seven (7) item statement Use of vape and effects on tobacco

smoking

Interview schedule will be employed to gather qualitative data on the satisfaction of the

participants while vaping.

Data Gathering Procedure

The investigators will be conducting the study through the following steps and

procedures. After the proposed study should it be approved for data gathering by the adviser and

panel members, the investigators will make a letter to the College Dean, the investigators will

then sent a letter to the school or university president and barangay chairman/woman to ask for

the conduction of the study. The investigators will secure permission and consent form to the

participants. The purpose of the study will be explained, option to participate in the study or not

was also taken emphasize to seek their permission and willingness to be a part of the study. Their

right to participate in the study will be given emphasis. One-on-one interview with the

participants will be done as they answer the given questionnaire; explanation of each question is

in the language they prefer most. Finally the quantitative data that will be gathered will

determine the collected, tabulated, and interpreted. On the other hand, the qualitative data,

participants’ satisfaction, will be gathered by utilizing a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with

fifty (50) vape users in two different schools or university and two barangays in Marawi City,

grouping them together as they share personal thoughts and the ideas about the question relayed.
 31

Statistical Tools

Frequency and percentage distribution will be utilized in analyzing the gathered data on

the participants’ profile characteristics and reasons to indulge in vaping. Mean and Standard

deviation will be utilized for the participants’ experiences on vape health effects.

The qualitative data will be gathered through focus group discussion. Transcription of

each of the identified vape users’ answer to the question will be recorded via video or audio and

will be transcribed and translated into English language. Data analyses will be used to determine

the qualitative data gathered from the verbalizations of each participant, thus helping us with

formulation of conclusions regarding the participants’ satisfaction.

 32

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2011)

Toxic Substances Portal Propylene Glycol, https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/tox
substance.asp?toxid=240. Montero, P. (2016)

American Cancer Society (2014)

Electronic cigarettes (ecigarettes), https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.
com/doi/10.3322/caac.2.1228/full

Blair P. (2025). New CDC Data: More Than 9 Million Adults Vape Regularly in the
United States, https://www.atr.org/new-cdc-data-more-9-million-adults-vape-
regularly-united-states

Cameron (2014). Vaping may harm the lung

https://www.sciencenewsfrstudents.org/article/vaping-may-harm

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016).

Flavorings – Related Lung Disease: Diacetyl.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flavorings/exposure.html

Counterfactual (2014). Vaping Testimonies

https://www.clivebates.com/vaping-testimonies/

Fookes C. (2016). E-cigarettes & Vaping:

Common Perceptions Now Up In Smoke,
https://www.drugs.com/slideshow/e-cigarettes-vaping-1238

Kozlowski, L., Homish and G. Homish (2017). Daily users

Compared to less frequent users find vape as or more satisfying and less dangerous
than cigarettes, and are likelier to use non-cig-alike vaping products.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5344323/

Lozano and Sabino (2015). Anatomy of an E-cigarette Vaporizer.

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/284180349

Morgan et al. (2012). 2,3-Pentadiene.

http://worldwidescience.org/topicpages/b/butane±2-methylpropane±1-butene.html

National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016).

Nicotine.https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/nicotine

NeirrenbergC. (2016). E-Cigarettes: What Vaping Does to your Body

 33

Petrache (2016).American Journal of Physiology

Lung Circular and Molecular
Physiology http://www.socioeconomicstudents.org/article/vaping-may-harm-lung

Philip C. Tubeza (2017). Cigarette prices in PH still among lowest despite sin tax, says
report. http://business.inquirer.net/

Tag.(2016). 10 shocking health risk of vaping and

E-cigarette http://www.theauthenticgay.com/10-vaping-health-risk/

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (2014), Vaping may

Harm the lung http://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/vaping-may-harm-
lungs

University of Southern California (2017).

Organization Your Social Sciences Research Paper: Types of Research
Designs, http://libguides.use.edu/writingguide/researchdesigns

Vape, Experience and Satisfaction from its users.

http://paquitomontero.com/2016/08/25/vape-experiences-and-expectation-from-its-
user/

Vaping Gane(2017). What is Vaping:

A Complete Guide and Infographic. http://www.migvapor.com/ecig-news/what-its-
vaping/

Vape Supremo (2015). E-Cigarette Vaping Survey.

http://www.vapesupremo.com/primaryCare/smoking/54345

Global Vapor (2015).

TOP 5 Benefits of Vaping instead of smoking
http://www.nzvapor.com/blog/benefits-of-vaping-instead-of-smoking

Lindsey Konkel (2017). Concern explode

Over new health of health. http://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/concern-
explode-over-new-health-risks-vaping

Dolores (2017). Peerinfluence on adolescent vaping found to be more powerful in

collectivist cultures.
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170821/peer-influence-on-adolescent-smoking-
found-to-be-more-powerful-in-collectivist-cultures.aspx

Eric A. Feldman (2014). Layer of Law:

The Case of E-Cigarettes.
http:// scholarhip.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.egi/article-2577&context-faculty-
scholarship
 34

Appendix A

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

INSTRUCTIONS: Kindly provide the necessary information needed.

(Maari sana’y mailagay ang mga impormasyong kailangan.)

PART I. Profile characteristics

Name/Pangalan: ________________________________ (optional)

Age/Edad: _________ Gender/Kasarian: ____________
Smokers/ Naninigarilyo: Yes ( ) No ( )
If yes, how many years?/Kung oo, ilang taon? ___________
How long have you been using Vape? / Gaano katagal ka na gumagamit ng Vape?
1-3 weeks ( ) 7-9 months ( )
1 month ( ) 10-12 months ( )
2-3 months ( ) Almost 1 year ( )
4-6 months ( ) More than 1 year ( Pls. specify)
INSTRUCTIONS: Kindly put a check ( √ ) mark on the space provided to the answer you wish
to choose.
(Pakilagyan ng tsek ( √ ) na marka ang patlang ng sagot na iyong napili.)

PART II. Participant’s reason for vaping

I make use of vape product to:

Gumamit ako ng vape product para sa)
Reason Check that applies
1. To quit smoking.
(Para itigil ang paninigarilyo)
2. To treat medical condition (ex.
Depression).
(Para magamot ang iba’t ibang uri ng
karamdaman. (Halimbawa: Depresyon)
3. Due to peer influence.
(Dahil sa mga impluwensya ng mga
kasamahan.)
4. Because it’s cheaper.
(Dahil ito ay mas mura)
5. Because of the different flavor.
(Dahil sa iba’t-ibang uri ng lasa)
6. Lessen the nicotine addiction .
(Upang mabawasan ang adiksyon sa
nikotina)
7. To become popular.
(Para maging sikat sa madla)
 35

8. Because it has lesser constraints from

the law.
(Dahil sa mas mababa ang mga limitasyon
nito mula sa kinauukulan)

PART III. Participants experiences on the usage of vape.

INSTRUCTIONS. Kindly encircle the number that corresponds to your answer

(Maaaring bilugan ang numero na tumutugma sa iyong sagot)

Score Description Interpretation

1 Never I did not experience any effects of vaping on my health

2 Sometimes I sometimes experience the effects of vaping on my health
3 Always I constantly experience the effects of vaping on my health

1 2 3
Factors Never Sometimes Always
(Hindi Kailanman) (Minsan) (Parati)
1.) While vaping, I am experiencing the following: (Habang nagvavape, nakakaranas ako ng
mga sumusunod:)
a. Control of my blood
pressure
(Pagkontrol ng presyon ng
aking dugo)
b. Mouth irritation
(Pangangati ng bibig)
c. Throat irritation
(Pangangati ng lalamunan)
d. Vomiting
(Pagduduwal)
e. Hiccups
(Sinisinok)
f. Headache
(Masaki tang ulo)
g. Palpitations
(Mabilis na pagtibok ng
puso )
h. Weight gain
(Pagdagdag ng timbang)
i. Productive coughing
(Pagkakaroon ng
produktibong pag-ubo)
j. Shortness of breath
(Pag-igsi ng paghinga)
 36

k. Chest tightness
(Pag-igsi ng dibdib)
l. Dizziness
(Pagkahilo)
m. Relief of headache
(Paglunas sa sakit ng ulo)
n. Improved
concentration
(Nakakatulong sa
konsentrasyon)
o. Normal breathing
pattern
(Pagkakaroon ng normal
na paghinga)
p. Being energetic
(Pagiging masiglahin)
2.) Since using vape, peers
had increased every
session
3.) Using vape had made me
a better person
4.) I would recommend the
use of vaping.
5.) Vaping improves my
overall physical
performance
6.) Vaping improves my oral
appetite
7.) Vaping has sharpened my
senses.

PART IV. Use of vape and effects on tobacco smoking

INSTRUCTIONS: Kindly put a check ( √ ) mark on the space provided to the answer you wish
to choose.

Since I have use vape, tobacco consumption use has:

1. Increased dramatically. Yes ( ) No ( )
(Mas lalong tumaas ang hilig sa paninigarilyo)
2. Stayed the same. Yes ( ) No ( )
(Ganoon parin)
3. Decreased dramatically. Yes ( ) No ( )
(Bumaba na ang hilig sapaninigarilyo)
4. Not smoked for several weeks. Yes ( ) No ( )
(Hindi nasumubok manigarilyo sa loob ng isang lingo)
5. Not smoked for several months. Yes ( ) No ( )
 37

(Hindi na sumubok manigarilyo sa loob ng isang buwan)

6. Not smoked for years. Yes ( ) No ( )
(Hindi na sumubok manigarilyo sa loob ng isang taon.)
7. Ceased smoking tobaccocigarette. Yes ( ) No ( )
(Tumigil na sa paninigarilyo.)