The article “E-cigarette Marketing and Older Smokers: Road to Renormalization” examines a major health challenge that has the potential to cause numerous challenges. The elderly have been observed to engage in smoking than ever before. These older smokers form a distinct sub-group whose needs should be addressed. The current use of aggressive marketing and advertising strategies has continued to support the smoking of e-cigarettes. As well, the number of cigarette users has increased significantly. The authors indicate that e-cigarette advertising continues to promote the use of both e-cigarettes and normal cigarettes (Cataldo, Peterson, Hunter, Wang, & Sheon, 2015). The study has also indicated that “the use of such e-cigarettes may contribute to the normalization of smoking” (Cataldo et al., 2015, p. 361). The article indicates that many elderly citizens started to smoke at a time when cigarette adverts were ubiquitous. These aggressive e-cigarette adverts might reduce the rate of smoking cessation among these older tobacco users. Older smokers have therefore been marginalized despite the fact that they are negatively impacted by tobacco-use (Cataldo et al., 2015). The authors therefore encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undertake appropriate measures to deal with these health issues.
Type of Article
The article presents a qualitative research study. The authors used focus groups characterized by 8 to 9 respondents from the state of California (Cataldo et al., 2015). The group focused on the major issues surrounding the use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes. This study approach made it easier for the researchers to come up with meaningful findings and conclusions.
Target Audience
The research article targets different audiences. The first group includes individuals who embrace the use of e-cigarettes. The report indicates that the current wave of e-cigarette advertising should be examined with caution. The article also targets the elderly because they have been ignored within the past few cigarettes. Researchers and public workers can also use this information to address the health problems associated with e-cigarettes (Cataldo et al., 2015). Legislators and agencies such as the FDA have also been targeted by the article. These audiences can undertake the best measures to ensure such e-cigarettes are regulated.
Readability
The presented article is readable and easy to understand. The authors have used an effective study approach and presentation. The sections of the article follow each other in a systematic manner (Cataldo et al., 2015). This approach makes it easier for the reader to understand the presented information.
Lessons Gained from the Article
I have also gained several lessons and ideas from this article. To begin with, the article has informed me about the major health challenges affecting many older smokers. These tobacco users have been ignored despite the fact that they are disadvantaged by the current wave of e-cigarette ads (Etter, 2013). The second lesson is that e-cigarettes might not result in smoking cessation. Such adverts encourage more people to use e-cigarettes. Experts believe strongly that the approach might eventually increase the number of smokers. The article also indicates that the current marketing strategies related to e-cigarettes might eventually result in smoking renormalization (Cataldo et al., 2015). Finally, the health risks and challenges associated with these ads explain why the FDA should impose appropriate regulatory measures (Cataldo et al., 2015).
Clinical Practice: Evidence Based
The information presented in this article is evidence-based. Before presenting their findings, the researchers have outlined the major issues associated with the e-cigarettes. The authors have also identified older smokers as a high-risk group that has been ignored for many decades (Cataldo et al., 2015). The article also outlines specific approaches that have been put in place to promote smoking cessation. The study focuses on the best strategies to ensure the health needs of the elderly are addressed.
This evidence-based information can therefore be used to influence clinical practice. Medical practitioners, public workers, and nurses can use these ideas to guide their elderly patients in different healthcare settings. New health promotion models can also be designed using the information to support many older smokers (Kalkhoran & Glantz, 2016). I will use the information to support the health needs of more smokers. Individuals “at risk of secondhand smoke will also be targeted” (Yerger & Malone, 2002, p. 341).
Future Research
After reading the article, I have observed that the current literature does not offer conclusive evidences regarding the effectiveness (and ineffectiveness) of e-cigarettes. Some experts have argued that such products are healthy and can result in smoking cessation. I will therefore undertake more studies in order to understand whether such e-cigarettes are healthy or not (Eldein, Mansour, & Mohamed, 2013). I will also analyze the environmental concerns associated with the e-liquids contained in such e-cigarettes.
Conclusion
This article focuses on the health needs of older smokers. The continued use of aggressive advertising strategies targeting different consumers might result in smoking renormalization (Cataldo et al., 2015). There is need for different agencies and medical practitioners to support the health needs of more citizens including the elderly (Rahman, Hann, Wilson, & Worrall-Carter, 2014). These measures will support the health challenges affecting many American citizens.
Reference List
Cataldo, J., Peterson, A., Hunter, M., Wang, J., & Sheon, N. (2015). E-cigarette marketing and older smokers: road to renormalization. American Journal of Health Behavior, 39(3), 361-371.
Eldein, H., Mansour, N., & Mohamed, S. (2013). Knowledge, attitude and practice of family physicians regarding smoking cessation counseling in family practice centers, Suez Canal University, Egypt. Journal of Family Medicine and Primacy Care, 2(2), 159-163.
Etter, J. (2013). The Electronic Cigarette: An Alternative to Tobacco. New York, NY: CreateSpace Publishing.
Kalkhoran, S., & Glantz, S. (2016). E-cigarettes and smoking cessation in real-world and clinical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet, 4(2), 116-128.
Rahman, M., Hann, N., Wilson, A., & Worrall-Carter, L. (2014). Electronic cigarettes: patterns of use, health effects, use in smoking cessation and regulatory issues. Tobacco Induced Diseases, 12(1), 1-9.
Yerger, B., & Malone, R. (2002). African American leadership groups: smoking with the enemy. Tobacco Control, 11(4), 336-345.