Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

The Opportunity (From Part A): Young adults in the United States are suffering from nicotine addictions because of how the tobacco industry advertises it as “glamorous” or “cool”

With nicotine addictions, many support groups have the opportunity to build awareness around the issue and partner with businesses like CVS, who do not sell tobacco products, to offer alternatives such as nicotine patches or gum in order to stop further use.

Interview #1: Female, 22 years old

This interview provided a lot of information for people who have a nicotine addiction, in this case, “juuling” but do not want to quit. Her parents support her financially and they are also there emotionally – so she has access to money and support in order to stop. She does not believe the short-term time frame that she has been doing this (during her years in college) will affect her in the future. I do not believe she understands that addiction does not just stop because you have received a diploma. Since she does have the financial support to obtain nicotine patches and gum in order to stop, the support group would be most beneficial even though she falls outside of the boundary with just not caring and/or being aware of the future complications.

Interview #2: Male, 25 years old

This interview was from a business prospective since he is a cashier at Walgreens. He says he sells tobacco products regularly throughout the day, and that obviously helps Walgreens profits and keeping him employed. A lot of the time, the customers he is selling to are “regulars” and come in a few times out of the week – he can even remember their product of choice. He does not necessarily support the use of tobacco, but at the same time he was offered the job at Walgreens and not CVS.

Interview #3: Male, 27 years old

This interview was a little eye opening. This individual goes through a few packs of cigarettes a week but he believes he can stop whenever he wants to, just doesn’t feel the need. The long term effects do not bother him, because, “We are all going to die somehow.” I cannot tell if he just doesn’t care or is unaware of the addiction. The interview made me think about how closely related nicotine addictions are with depression or a similar mental illness. In this case, the support group could continue to provide service in order to get the medical attention needed, but you cannot help someone who doesn’t want the help.

Interview #4: Female, 25 years old

This interview was in a sense the same as Interview #3. She basically does not feel the need to stop using tobacco products, because both of her parents did growing up and “they are fine.” She is in a sense oblivious to these long-term effects, and I believe her hearing other peoples health complication stories, it could be eye opening. She works a part time job while going to school full time, so although she is not making a lot of money, the majority of it does go to her tobacco use and alcohol. This interview made me realize the different priorities people have based on where they are in life at that exact moment.

Interview #5: Male, 22 years old

This interview is similar to Interview #2, because this individual works at a Vape shop. He believes since vaping has been popular, tobacco use isn’t as harmful. His shop offers different nicotine percentages, and even some don’t have any in them at all. People use the zero nicotine when they are in the habit of the act of vaping, but don’t actually want the nicotine. They are a small businesses, profiting solely on the sales of vapes and the vape “juice.”



In summation, all of these interviews showed that these people need further help, but don't necessarily want it. I believe fully in the statement, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it." It's important for us to still give this option to people who are attempting to better their lives and also make resources more available to the community.

Inside the Boundary:	Outside the Boundary:
Who is in: People who have the need to better their lives and are seeking a healthier lifestyle, away from the addiction. This includes both people who have not experienced health complications and people who are starting to see the effects firsthand. CVS – they claim that the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with their purpose, which is helping people on their path to better health.	Who is not: People who do not care of the effects. People who have the resources to stop smoking, but still choose not to for their own personal reasons. People who believe tobacco alternatives such as vaping are not harmful. Businesses who are profiting off of the sale of tobacco. (Gas stations, Walgreens)
What the need is: The need is resources in which allow them to quit their addiction. Some people cannot afford the different products available or do not have a support group in which could help them.	What the need is not: Here, the need is not to worry about future complications but how the tobacco products make them feel in that present moment.
Why the need: This is necessary, because too many people are becoming addicted to nicotine which can cause serious health complications in the future.	Alternative explanations: They do not feel like they have an addition, therefore do not need to seek further help.