Tobacco and e-cigarette use among Thai dental students: A cross-sectional national survey, 2021

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the prevalence of tobacco and e-cigarette use, attitudes toward tobacco control, training on tobacco control in the dental curriculum, and attitudes toward e-cigarette use among Thai dental students. Materials and Methods: An online survey among 1968 Thai dental students was conducted in 2021. The questionnaire was modified from the Global Health Professions Student Survey with information collected on tobacco products, e-cigarette use, attitudes, and training toward tobacco control in the dental curriculum and personal information (e.g., sex, course year, regions, and types of dental schools). Descriptive analyses and χ 2 tests were performed. Results: The prevalence of tobacco and e-cigarette use among Thai dental students was 4.2%. Out of current users, 95% used e-cigarettes and 36.6% used multiple products, with a 1.7% prevalence of conventional cigarettes and other forms of tobacco use. Tobacco and e-cigarette use was higher in male than female dental students and was not associated with course year, region, and type of dental school. Conclusions: A small percentage of Thai dental students used tobacco or e-cigarettes, with the majority of current tobacco users being e-cigarette users. Thai dental students generally had a favorable view of tobacco control and a negative view of e-cigarette use. However, fewer than half of the surveyed students had received training in tobacco cessation therapy.