E-cigarette use, perceived risks, attitudes, opinions of e-cigarette policies, and associated factors among Thai university students
Issued Date
2024-05-01
Resource Type
eISSN
16179625
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85193373881
Journal Title
Tobacco Induced Diseases
Volume
22
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Tobacco Induced Diseases Vol.22 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Vichayanrat T., Chidchuangchai W., Karawekpanyawong R., Phienudomkitlert K., Chongcharoenjai N., Fungkiat N. E-cigarette use, perceived risks, attitudes, opinions of e-cigarette policies, and associated factors among Thai university students. Tobacco Induced Diseases Vol.22 (2024). doi:10.18332/tid/186536 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/98459
Title
E-cigarette use, perceived risks, attitudes, opinions of e-cigarette policies, and associated factors among Thai university students
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
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.