E-Cigarette Use among University Students from One University in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Associated Factors

E-cigarette use, perceived risks, attitudes, opinions of e-cigarette policies, and associated factors among Thai university students

INTRODUCTION

Although many countries, including Thailand, currently ban the sale of e-cigarettes, their use continues to rise, especially among young adults. Since the study of e-cigarette use among university students is limited, this study aimed to determine factors associated with e-cigarette use and explore university students' attitudes toward e-cigarettes, perceived risk, and opinion of e-cigarette policies.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students using convenience sampling in a university, in central Thailand from November 2022 to February 2023. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to 19 faculties representing health sciences, science and technology, social and arts faculties, and the International College.

RESULTS

A total of 548 students completed the online questionnaire, and 20.4% reported ever using e-cigarettes, while 40% of e-cigarette users were unsure about the nicotine content. About 28% agreed, and 22% were unsure whether e-cigarettes could help quit smoking. Most students perceived that e-cigarettes are addictive and harmful, while about half of the participants agreed with the policy related to e-cigarettes in Thailand. Students with positive attitudes towards e-cigarettes were more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.08-1.22), and those with lower perceived risk (AOR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.96) and who disagreed with e-cigarettes policy (AOR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.89-0.97) were more likely to use e-cigarettes. Personal income and having friends who use e-cigarettes were the significant predictors for e-cigarette use, while studying in the faculty of science and technology was a predictor of using e-cigarettes last month.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the perceived risk was high, about half of the students thought that e-cigarettes could help them quit smoking and were unsure or disagreed with e-cigarette banning policies. Attitude, perceived risk, policy opinions, personal income, and having friends who used e-cigarettes, were associated with e-cigarette use. Thus, correcting misunderstandings and increasing risk perceptions about e-cigarettes must be advocated among university students.

Exploring the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes and influencing factors of e-cigarette use among university students in Palestine: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

E-cigarettes have gained popularity, especially among young adults. This study aims to determine the prevalence of e-cigarette smoking, assess knowledge and attitudes and identify associated factors among Palestinian university students.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study was conducted among Palestinian university students in early 2023.A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 1792 students from six Palestine universities in the West Bank. The questionnaire covered various aspects, including sociodemographic information, daily habits, exposure to smoking, attitudes and knowledge about e-cigarettes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, χ2 tests and multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study revealed a high prevalence of tobacco use (41.2%), with e-cigarette use prevalent among 19.7% of participants. Knowledge about e-cigarettes was suboptimal, with misconceptions regarding their safety and health effects. Negative attitudes towards e-cigarettes were common, and students with negative attitudes were more likely to use e-cigarettes (aOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.9 to 3.6). Gender (aOR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.4 to 3.0), waterpipe smoking (aOR=4.5, 95% CI: 3.2 to 6.3), physical inactivity (aOR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.9), high coffee consumption (aOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.3), spending time with friends (aOR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.5 to 3.7), having a mother who is a smoker (aOR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.2) and having a friend who uses e-cigarettes (aOR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.1) were significantly associated with e-cigarettes use.

CONCLUSIONS

E-cigarette use is a growing concern among Palestinian university students. Combating this trend should include educational initiatives, social interventions and policy measures to promote informed decision-making and discourage e-cigarette use. Comprehensive tobacco control programs considering various tobacco and nicotine products and involving multiple stakeholders are warranted.

Implications of nicotine vaping products for tobacco control in ASEAN low-income and middle-income countries: in-depth interviews with experts from the region

OBJECTIVES

The use of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) has increased in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region; however, it is uncertain what implications the presence and use of NVPs have for tobacco control.

DESIGN

In-depth interviews were conducted to explore ASEAN tobacco control experts' (n=11) views on the rise of NVP use in ASEAN LMICs, current NVP policies, the potential harm reduction and smoking cessation utilities of these devices, and what implications they may have for tobacco control. Data were analysed using inductive, reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Five themes emerged: (1) NVPs threaten tobacco control in ASEAN LMICs; (2) commercial factors influence youth appeal and access: product attributes, marketing, supply chains; (3) opposition to the smoking cessation and harm reduction utilities of NVPs; (4) policies are inconsistent and fragmented in the region; and (5) tobacco industry power and tactics have been used to capture NVP markets.

CONCLUSIONS

ASEAN tobacco control experts believe that NVPs pose a threat to youth and non-smokers in LMICs in the region, largely because of tobacco industry NVP marketing activities. They do not support the use of NVPs for smoking cessation or harm reduction and call for more restrictions and consistent policy enforcement across the region to protect young people, while also cautiously recognising that use of NVPs may have some benefits for smokers.

Exposure to E-Cigarette Advertising and Its Association With E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Adolescents in Two Largest Cities in Vietnam 2020

BACKGROUND

E-cigarette products have become more popular due to the marketing campaigns on various sources but caused adverse health impacts to users, especially adolescents and youths. This paper aims to describe the situation of exposure to e-cigarette advertisements of youth and adolescents living in two cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in 2020 and identify the associated factors of e-cigarette marketing with e-cigarettes use in these groups.

METHODOLOGY

This was a cross-sectional study. The study participants were 1211 youth and adolescents aged 15-24 living in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City during the time of data collection (from January 2020 to September 2020). Two primary outcome variables included the ever e-cigarettes use and the intention to use e-cigarettes. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the outcome variables and e-cigarette marketing exposure.

RESULTS

The proportion of participants who ever use e-cigarettes was 7.4% and a proportion of 4.8% have intention to use e-cigarettes. The most popular source of exposure to e-cigarettes advertisements was social network (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc.) and this source had positive association with the odds of e-cigarette smoking among youth and adolescents (OR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.59-7.14). In addition, referral marketers also contributed to making the participants more likely to smoke e-cigarettes (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.03-6.95). Attractive color and free sample of e-cigarettes were also found to be the motivated factors associated with smoking behaviour among youth and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

New policies should be considered to oppose the impact of youth-oriented e-cigarette advertisements which include regulating and restricting e-cigarette advertisements on social media, as well as through referral marketers.