Perception of Health Risks of Electronic Cigarette Use Among College Students: Examining the Roles of Sex, Field of Study, Vaping Device Type, and Their Associations.

Autor: Vilcassim MJR; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UAB School of Public Health, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA. ruzmyn@uab.edu., Stowe S; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UAB School of Public Health, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA., Zierold KM; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, UAB School of Public Health, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of community health [J Community Health] 2024 Aug 23. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 23.
DOI: 10.1007/s10900-024-01393-y
Abstrakt: Electronic cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative to regular (combustible) cigarettes, based on the claim that there is no tobacco burning and fewer toxic chemicals in their vapor. However, recent evidence challenges the notion that e-cigarette aerosols are benign. Heating of compounds in e-liquids to high temperatures can lead to the release of toxic compounds in e-cigarette aerosols. However, users and the public may not be aware of these unique harms, impacting their perception of harm from using e-cigarettes. This research explored the perceptions of harm of e-cigarettes compared to regular cigarettes among 418 college students, aged 18-34, by employing a Qualtrics based smartphone survey. The findings revealed a vaping prevalence of 16.7% among our study population, indicating e-cigarette use among college aged young adults is at concerning levels. Perceptions of harm varied significantly by vaping status, sex, and field of study. Non-e-cigarette users and female students were less likely to perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful than regular cigarettes. Among e-cigarette users (vapers), male vapers and users of pod-type devices, such as JUUL and disposables, were more inclined to view e-cigarettes as less harmful. Among vapers, students in non-health-related fields were significantly more likely to perceive e-cigarettes as less harmful than regular cigarettes, underscoring the impact of educational background on health risk awareness. In conclusion, this study provides crucial insights into the varied perceptions of e-cigarettes among young adults. The results emphasize the need for targeted public health interventions and educational efforts to address this growing public health concern.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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