Table 2

Themes and subthemes discussed by participants and associated frequencies (n) and percentages (%) of participants endorsing these

Categories
(n, %*)		Themes
(n, %*)		Subthemes
(n, %†)
Barriers to quitting/reducing nicotine use during the pandemic
(21, 64%)		Isolation, uncertainty and shifts in environment and lifestyle (due to fewer activities, increased boredom, diminished socialising, altered home social environment, loss of existing coping strategies/activities, etc)
(16, 48%)		Smoking/vaping more to:

  • Curb boredom (6, 29%)

  • Cope with triggers (3, 14%)

  • Be able to go outside (2, 10%)

  • Get away from screens (‘Zoom fatigue’) (2, 29%)

  • Satisfy the need to use hands when engaging in repetitive activities (TV; homework) (1, 5%)


Smoking/vaping more due to:

  • Not knowing if/where one could go outside the home (2, 10%)

  • Being away from workplaces that restricted use (2, 10%)

  • Being indoors with other users (2, 10%)

  • Not being able to spend time with non-users (2, 10%)

Increased stress and worsened mental health (due to lack of support, reduced access to social and professional supports, etc)
(8, 24%)		Smoking/vaping more to:

  • Cope with general stress and anxiety (5, 24%)

  • Cope with work-related stress and anxiety (3, 14%)

    • Due to working from home (blurring of boundaries between work/home) (2, 10%)

    • Due to working in-person (fear of getting sick; less time off; burnout) (1, 5%)


Smoking/vaping more due to:

  • Lack of COVID-19-specific mental health supports (3, 14%)

  • Lack of incorporation of general and COVID-19-specific trauma (eg, deaths of loved ones) and associated vulnerabilities of certain populations in supports (1, 5%)

Facilitators to quitting/reducing nicotine use during the pandemic
(11, 33%)		Reduced access to nicotine products and opportunities for usage (due to fewer/restricted social events, business closures, etc)
(6, 18%)		Smoking/vaping less due to:

  • Less opportunities to be around users (3, 27%)

  • Less social pressure (3, 27%)

  • Inability to purchase smoke/vape products (eg, underage vapers) (1, 9%)

Increased introspection and reflection on own behaviours (due to increased time alone)
(5, 15%)		Smoking/vaping less to:

  • Improve own lung health (2, 18%)

  • Save money (to travel, see loved ones) (2, 18%)


Smoking/vaping less due to:

  • Seeing others quit during the pandemic (2, 18%)

  • Fear of contracting COVID-19 (1, 27%)

  • Identifying new cognitive strategies to cope with negative emotions (1, 27%)

Suggestions for improving cessation programming during the pandemic
(19, 58%)		Enhance social support features (virtual and in-person)
(11, 33%)		Virtual supports:

  • Zoom meetings (3, 16%)

  • Discussion forums (3, 16%)

  • Group chats (2, 11%)


In-person supports:

  • Small support groups (2, 11%)

  • Plans for in-person activities when restrictions ease (2, 11%)

Increase awareness of quitting benefits during the pandemic
(7, 21%)		Health benefits:

  • Discuss health implications of smoking/vaping and quitting (4, 21%)


Financial benefits:

  • Discuss financial implications of smoking/vaping during pandemic layoffs (3, 16%)

  • Provide financial incentives (monetary rewards) (1, 5%)

Provide pandemic-specific resources and advice for trying to quit during the pandemic
(5, 15%)		Target visible locations for dissemination:

  • Social media (4, 15%)

  • In-person locations where people are able to go (grocery stores, health facilities) (2, 11%)


Include culturally relevant practices for Indigenous nicotine users, for example:

  • Sweat lodges (1, 5%)

  • *Expressed as a percentage of the total sample (N=33).

  • †Expressed as a percentage of the respective category (n indicated in first column).