I believe an
opportunity exists in regards to nicotine addiction. Nicotine addicts struggle
with their addiction on a daily basis, yet there are not very many effective
tactics to overcome this addition. Yes, there are all sorts of patches and
pills that claim they are able to stop nicotine addiction, but none of these
treatments are as effective as they claim to be. Nicotine addicts have an unmet
need for a drug that will actually reverse their addiction. This need has been
around for centuries, but has become more widespread over the last 20 years.
Ever since the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes were discovered, addicts have
been trying to figured out how to be cured of their addiction. I am 100% sure
that an opportunity to create a more effective drug to fight against this
addiction exists.
#1. College-aged
male:
· How old are you?
o
I
am 19 years old.
· Have you ever consumed any form of
nicotine?
o
Yes.
· How many years have you been
consuming nicotine?
o
Since
10th grade.
· How much nicotine would you say you
consumer on a daily basis?
o
I
use about 1 can of chewing tobacco every week.
· Would you say you are a nicotine
addict?
o
I’m
not really sure. Maybe I guess.
· Have you had any health issues
directly related to your nicotine addiction?
o
Not
that I know of.
· Ever you ever tried to end your
addiction?
o
Not
really.
· What methods have you used to fight
this addiction?
o
None.
· Have any of them been successful?
o
N/A
· How important is it for you to find
an effective method to fight your addiction?
o
Right
now, not very important.
Reflection:
19 year old
males in college do not have much of a desire to stop using nicotine. I am sure
many of them won’t even admit they are addicted. I was surprised to find out the
guy I interviewed first started using nicotine when he was in 10th
grade.
#2.
College-aged female:
· How old are you?
o
I
am 20 years old.
· Have you ever consumed any form of
nicotine?
o
Yes.
· How many years have you been
consuming nicotine?
o
I
think since 11th grade.
· How much nicotine would you say you
consumer on a daily basis?
o
I
smoke about 2 Juul pods per week.
· Would you say you are a nicotine
addict?
o
Not
really. Everyone in college Juuls.
· Have you had any health issues
directly related to your nicotine addiction?
o
Sometimes
I have shortness of breath.
· Ever you ever tried to end your
addiction?
o
Once.
· What methods have you used to fight
this addiction?
o
I
used a nicotine patch, but it didn’t do anything.
· Have any of them been successful?
o
Nope.
· How important is it for you to find
an effective method to fight your addiction?
o
I
guess somewhat important.
Reflection:
20 year old
college females also find it difficult to admit they might be addicted. The
girl I interviewed has already had health issues related to her nicotine use. The
patches she tried did not do her any good. I am surprised to find out that she
smokes a whole Juul pods every week. That is an insane amount of nicotine.
#3. Mid-thirties
female:
· How old are you?
o
I
am 34 years old.
· Have you ever consumed any form of nicotine?
o
Yes.
· How many years have you been
consuming nicotine?
o
Since
high school.
· How much nicotine would you say you
consumer on a daily basis?
o
I
smoke about three packs of cigarettes per week.
· Would you say you are a nicotine
addict?
o
I
think I am. My friends always tell me I am.
· Have you had any health issues
directly related to your nicotine addiction?
o
Yes,
I’ve had pneumonia two times and my lungs aren’t in great shape.
· Ever you ever tried to end your
addiction?
o
Yes,
many times.
· What methods have you used to fight
this addiction?
o
I’ve
used patches, oils, pills, etc.
· Have any of them been successful?
o
Not
really. Only for a short period of time.
· How important is it for you to find
an effective method to fight your addiction?
o
At
this point in my life, it is extremely important for me to find an effective
method to fight my addiction.
Reflection:
My product
would probably be most effective for someone like this. This lady has be
smoking cigarettes for about 20 years. She acknowledged that she is an addict
and she has had major health issues as a result. She has tried many different
methods to stop her addiction, but none of them have really worked. I was
surprised to learn that she smokes three packs of cigarettes each week. She
definitely needs some help.
Summary:
After
conducting my interviews, I believe my opportunity is still very much alive. While
my product might not be very useful for college-aged people, it would be very
helpful for older individuals who fully acknowledge their addiction. My
opportunity is just as accurate as it was before I interviewed people. I think
customer feedback is extremely important for entrepreneurs. They must adapt
their opportunities to what the customer wants and needs. If the customer
doesn’t want or need their product, they won’t make any money.
Hi Tyler! Your topic of choice hits pretty close to home, since I have a sister who used to smoke. She's in her mid thirties now, and gave up smoking when she was ready to have kids. There is a need to end nicotine addiction, but it's hard when the things promised to end it don't work. I know most treatment options revolve around lowering the dosage but they don't provide addicts with a solution. Coming up with one would be beneficial to everyone, not just the people around you.
ReplyDeleteHey Tyler! It's crazy to see how many people struggle with a nicotine addiction. Our generation was supposed to end smoking, but juuls and stigs ruined that for us. I agree that there is an unmet need for a way to get rid of nicotine addictions. I hope we can see addiction reversals soon!
ReplyDeleteTyler, I think you’re probably right that college aged kids aren’t too concerned with their nicotine addictions. Though, I have started seeing more people grow weary of juuls since more is coming out about the health risks. I think this definitely opens up opportunity for more options to kick the addiction. I’d be interested to see how your idea develops further.
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