Electronic cigarette use among adolescents and young adults in Nigeria: Prevalence, associated factors and patterns of use

Electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A national study, 2022

INTRODUCTION

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has increased globally among adolescents. However, data on its use among adolescents in Saudi Arabia remain limited. Therefore, this study describes the characteristics and factors associated with e-cigarette use in this population.

METHODS

Data from the Saudi Arabia 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey targeting students aged 13-15 years were analyzed. This study examined current use and ever use of e-cigarettes as dependent variables, and sociodemographic characteristics, smoking behaviors, and exposure to tobacco-related messages as independent variables.

RESULTS

Among the adolescents, 14.2% had ever used e-cigarettes, while 5.3% were current users. Older adolescents exhibited a higher prevalence of ever use (12%, 13%, and 19% among those aged 13, 14, and 15 years, respectively). Of those who ever smoked cigarettes, 44% reported ever using e-cigarettes, and 23% were current users. Older adolescents (15 years) were 35% more likely to be ever e-cigarette users (AOR=1.35; 95% CI: 1.32-1.38) and 39% more likely to be current e-cigarette users (AOR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.34-1.43) than those aged 13 years. Exposure to pro-tobacco marketing was associated with twice the odds of ever using e-cigarettes (AOR=2.23; 95% CI: 2.21-2.26) and 2.76 times the odds of becoming current e-cigarette users (AOR=2.64; 95% CI: 2.58-2.69) compared with non-exposed adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

E-cigarette use is more prevalent among older adolescents, males, and those with higher weekly allowances. Additionally, e-cigarette use is associated with adolescents who use tobacco cigarettes, are exposed to secondhand smoke, or encounter tobacco promotional marketing.

Knowledge, perceptions, and experiences of e-cigarettes among young adults in Cape Town, South Africa: Insights from focus groups to inform regulations and prevention strategies

INTRODUCTION

E-cigarettes have rapidly gained a market share in South Africa and globally. Concerns have been raised over the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among young people, who are frequently drawn to these novel products and are especially targeted by marketers. Using a qualitative method, this study aimed to gain insight into young adults' knowledge, experiences, and perceptions of e-cigarette use in Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS

We conducted five focus groups (FGs) among students of the University of Cape Town (n=48; 46% females; 54% males; aged 18-25 years). These FGs, which included both e-cigarette users and non-users, were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using Nvivo 12 software.

RESULTS

Despite their lack of information about the chemical constituents of e-cigarettes and their harm, participants perceived them as healthier than combustible cigarettes. Participants equated the pleasant smell and environmental friendliness of e-cigarettes with safety. The absence of e-cigarette regulation was interpreted as evidence of their safety. Participants indicated that the lack of anti-e-cigarette indoor policies, the deceptive marketing regarding their safety, and their low price compared to combustible cigarettes, had key roles in increasing young people's use of e-cigarettes.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight factors at multiple levels contributing to e-cigarette use among young people in South Africa. Comprehensive strategies for e-cigarette regulation and prevention are needed. Potential strategies include increasing knowledge of e-cigarette harms through evidence-based communication campaigns and strengthening e-cigarette regulations by limiting e-cigarette advertisements, banning vaping in public places, and reducing the flavors used in e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes in Nigeria: A scoping review of evidence

Background and Aims

E-cigarettes will continue to be a public health issue in Nigeria. To curb the growing menace of the e-cigarette use in Nigeria through evidence-based approach, it is crucial to first map the empirical research landscape of e-cigarettes in Nigeria. No known study has mapped the existing empirical evidence and gaps concerning e-cigarettes in Nigeria; hence, this scoping review was conducted.

Methods

This scoping review adopted the research design by Arksey and O'Malley. Four databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, and APA PsycINFO) were searched to retrieve literature on e-cigarettes in Nigeria. With the aid of Rayyan web application, all retrieved literature were deduplicated and screened based on the review's eligibility criteria. Only those peer-reviewed journal papers meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Relevant data from the included papers were charted, collated, and summarized.

Results

A total of six papers were included in this review. The reviewed papers reported a lifetime prevalence of e-cigarette use (or vaping) ranging from 5.8% to 19.8%, with a current e-cigarette use prevalence of 11.8%, among different population groups in Nigeria. The major determinants of e-cigarette use, as reported in these articles, include being a youth, having a health condition, severe anxiety, tobacco use, peer influence, and current alcohol use. Dry mouth and oral lesions (gingival inflammation and oral ulcers) were also identified to be the medical conditions associated with e-cigarette use in Nigeria. Lastly, one of the included papers identified a lack of clear regulation on e-cigarettes in Nigeria.

Conclusion

There is an urgent need for more scientific investigations on the sociodemographic, economic, health, and regulatory landscape of e-cigarettes in Nigeria, as robust empirical evidence is needed for the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based policies and interventions on e-cigarettes control and regulation in Nigeria.

Global frequency and epidemiological profile of electronic cigarette users: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is growing significantly worldwide, especially among young people. This product has been associated with renormalizing smoking and hindering quit attempts in smokers. Moreover, among nonsmokers, it can lead to subsequent cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence. The present study aimed to assess the epidemiological profile of e-cigarette users worldwide.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic review was performed using 3 main electronic databases (Medline/PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE). Studies were independently assessed by 2 reviewers based on established eligibility criteria. The risk of bias was assessed using the MAStARI critical appraisal instrument.

RESULTS

From 4,496 records, 43 were included. Among the 1,238,392 participants, 132,786 (10.72%) were e-cigarette users. The age range with the highest percentage of e-cigarette users was 18-24 years old, with 40,989 (30.86%) males, 34,875 (26.26%) females, and 33.6% being current cigarette smokers. The highest prevalence of users was 52.88% in Croatia and 49.62% in New Zealand. Other possible correlations were observed with e-cigarette use, such as a high level of education.

CONCLUSION

Overall, e-cigarette users tended to be male young adults with a higher level of education. The highest prevalence of use was found in Croatia. This systematic review provides valuable information to improve the development of appropriate intervention strategies targeting e-cigarette users for more accurate anti-smoking actions.

Differences in risk indicators associated with electronic cigarette use and tobacco smoking among adolescents and young people in Nigeria

Introduction

The study determined the proportion of adolescents and young persons (AYP) in Nigeria who use e-cigarettes and smoke tobacco; and identified factors associated with the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco smoking.

Methods

AYP aged 11–23 years were recruited to participate in an online survey. The independent variables were respondents’ health, HIV and COVID-19 status and their level of anxiety. The dependent variables were tobacco smoking and use of e-cigarettes. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the associations between the dependent and independent variables after adjusting for confounders (age, sex, educational level and vulnerability status).

Results

There were 2206 respondents of which 568 (19.8%) used e-cigarettes and 787 (27.4%) smoked tobacco. Individual (18–23 years, having a health condition, high anxiety and being vulnerable) and familial (having father, mother, siblings or friends who used e-cigarettes) factors were associated with both the use of e-cigarettes and tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoking was a significant risk indicator for e-cigarettes use and vice versa. COVID-19 infection (adjusted OR, AOR: 3.602) and living with HIV (AOR: 1.898) were associated with higher odds of using e-cigarettes. Males (AOR: 1.577), 15–17 years (AOR: 6.621) and moderate anxiety (AOR: 2.500) were associated with higher odds of tobacco smoking. AYP with health conditions had higher odds of using e-cigarettes (AOR: 1.514) while AYP with moderate anxiety had lower odds of using e-cigarettes (AOR: 0.627).

Conclusion

The proportion of AYP in Nigeria who used e-cigarettes and smoked tobacco is high. Public health interventions that target the common risk factors for e-cigarettes use and tobacco smoking among AYP in Nigeria are urgently needed.

The Use of E-Cigarettes among High School Students in Poland Is Associated with Health Locus of Control but Not with Health Literacy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Since their introduction, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased considerably in the population and among adolescents. Determinants of smoking conventional cigarettes were thoroughly studied in various social groups. However, we know less about the predictors of the use of e-cigarettes in younger generations. The main aim of this study was the assessment of the factors associated with the use of electronic cigarettes among high school students. Specifically, the roles of health literacy (HL) and health locus of control (HLC) were addressed. The analysis was based on the data from a 'pen-and-pencil' survey performed in a large sample of 2223 high school students from southern Poland. The tools used in the survey encompassed 133 items, including a 47-item European Health Literacy Survey questionnaire, an 18-item Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and a set of questions asking about the health behaviors, and sociodemographic and economic characteristics of respondents. In the study sample, 47.5% of the respondents had used e-cigarettes in the past, and 18.6% had used them in the last month. HL was not significantly associated with dependent variables reflecting the use of e-cigarettes. Two types of external HLC were associated with using e-cigarettes in the past, and 'Chance' HLC (CHLC) was also associated with their use in the last month. Males, students of schools providing vocational training, and students declaring more Internet use during the week showed a higher likelihood of ever using e-cigarettes or using them in the last month. Students smoking conventional cigarettes were also more prone to use e-cigarettes. To sum up, it was an unexpected result that HL is not associated with the use of e-cigarettes. A greater likelihood of using e-cigarettes was positively associated with higher CHLC scores, as in the case of smoking traditional cigarettes.