Passive exposure to e-cigarette emissions is associated with worsened mental health

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of E-Cigarettes of Adolescents and Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

E-cigarettes have gained enormous popularity, and their use has increased drastically worldwide. However, little is known regarding adolescents' and adults' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered online-modified WHO GATS questionnaire on a convenience sample approach. Data were collected between January and March 2021 after the alleviation of COVID-19 lockdown measures in Saudi Arabia. Univariate and multivariate regression models were developed to identify independent factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice. Our sample (1335) had a mean age of 26.45 ± 10.5 years; nearly half of the participants had poor knowledge about e-cigarettes. The usage and positive attitude were reported by 18.6% and 19.4%, respectively. Around 43.5% of e-cigarette users reported starting or increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 9.5% of participants would recommend it to others. Logistic regressions showed that older participants were more likely to have poor knowledge (OR = 1.02, 95% C.I. = 1.01-1.03) and positive attitudes (OR = 0.98, 95% C.I. = 0.91-0.96). Male participants and smokers (OR = 3.0, 95% C.I. = 2.3-3.8) were more likely to have a positive attitude. However, younger participants were less likely to go for e-cigarettes (OR = 0.95, 95% C.I. = 0.93-0.97), while males (OR = 2.53, 95% C.I. = 1.65-3.86) and smokers (OR = 4.63, 95% C.I. = 3.47-6.18) were more likely to use them. This study indicated a high level of poor knowledge about e-cigarettes. A considerable proportion of participants reported usage and a positive attitude towards them. Older age, male gender, and being a smoker were the main elicited predictors for e-cigarette use.

Secondhand and thirdhand smoke: a review on chemical contents, exposure routes, and protective strategies

Secondhand smoke (SHS: a mixture of sidestream and mainstream smoke) and thirdhand smoke (THS: made up of the pollutants that settle indoors after smoking in closed environments) are a significant public health concern. SHS and THS contain various chemicals which can be released into the air or settle on surfaces. At present, the hazards of SHS and THS are not as well documented. In this review, we describe the chemical contents of THS and SHS, exposure routes, vulnerable groups, health effects, and protective strategies. The literature search was conducted for published papers on September 2022 in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. This review could provide a comprehensive understanding of the chemical contents of THS and SHS, exposure routes, vulnerable groups, health effects, protective strategies, and future researches on environmental tobacco smoke.

Indoor Exposure and Regional Inhaled Deposited Dose Rate during Smoking and Incense Stick Burning-The Jordanian Case as an Example for Eastern Mediterranean Conditions

Tobacco smoking and incense burning are commonly used in Jordanian microenvironments. While smoking in Jordan is prohibited inside closed spaces, incense burning remains uncontrolled. In this study, particle size distributions (diameter 0.01-25 µm) were measured and inhaled deposited dose rates were calculated during typical smoking and incense stick-burning scenarios inside a closed room, and the exposure was summarized in terms of number and mass concentrations of submicron (PN_Sub) and fine particles (PM_2.5). During cigarette smoking and incense stick-burning scenarios, the particle number concentrations exceeded 3 × 10⁵ cm^-3. They exceeded 5 × 10⁵ cm^-3 during shisha smoking. The emission rates were 1.9 × 10¹⁰, 6.8 × 10¹⁰, and 1.7 × 10¹⁰ particles/s, respectively, for incense, cigarettes, and shisha. That corresponded to about 7, 80, and 120 µg/s, respectively. Males received higher dose rates than females, with about 75% and 55% in the pulmonary/alveolar during walking and standing, respectively. The total dose rates were in the order of 10¹²-10¹³ #/h (10³-10⁴ µg/h), respectively, for PN_Sub and PM_2.5. The above reported concentrations, emissions rates, and dose rates are considered seriously high, recalling the fact that aerosols emitted during such scenarios consist of a vast range of toxicant compounds.

Cross-Sectional Associations of Self-Reported Social/Emotional Support and Life Satisfaction with Smoking and Vaping Status in Adults

This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional association of self-reported social/emotional support and life satisfaction with smoking/vaping status in US adults. The study included 47,163 adult participants who self-reported social/emotional support, life satisfaction, and smoking/vaping status in the 2016 and 2017 BRFSS national survey data. We used multivariable weighted logistic regression models to measure the cross-sectional association of self-reported social/emotional support and life satisfaction with smoking/vaping status. Compared to never users, dual users and exclusive smokers were more likely to have low life satisfaction, with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.770 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.135, 2.760) and an aOR = 1.452 (95% CI: 1.121, 1.880) respectively, especially for the age group 18-34. Exclusive cigarette smokers were more likely to have low life satisfaction compared to ex-smokers (aOR = 1.416, 95% CI: 1.095, 1.831). Exclusive cigarette smokers were more likely to have low social/emotional support (aOR = 1.193, 95% CI: 1.030, 1.381) than never users, especially those aged 65 and above. In addition, exclusive cigarette smokers were more likely to have low social/emotional support than ex-smokers, with an aOR = 1.279 (95% CI: 1.097, 1.492), which is more pronounced among the age group 18-34, as well as 65 and above. Our results suggest that life satisfaction and social/emotional support may play important roles in smoking and vaping, which should be incorporated into behavioral interventions to reduce tobacco use.