The use of e-cigarettes among university students in Malaysia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION E-cigarette use is an emerging phenomenon with increasing recognition and acceptance globally. This study aims to create a profile of e-cigarette users among university students in Malaysia. METHODS The study was conducted using a cross-sectional research involving six universities in Malaysia. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to 1302 randomly selected students, who either smoked cigarettes and/or e-cigarettes. The 2011 version of Global Adult Tobacco Surveys (GATS) tool was used to record the respondents’ sociodemographic data. RESULTS The study revealed that 74.9% of the respondents smoked e-cigarettes; 40.3% used both cigarettes and e-cigarettes (dual users), and 34.5% were exclusive e-cigarette users. The exclusive use of e-cigarettes was related to gender (OR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.09–0.39). Also, male respondents were the majority users (95%). Of the respondents, 75.2 % were Malays, 98.0% single and most believed they have no health problems (92.1%). Further findings revealed the occurrence of adverse effects, dizziness 14.4%, cough 14.1%, and headaches 12.4%. Overall, 57.8% of the respondents used e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, while others consider e-cigarettes a self-image enhancing tool or as part of social activities. CONCLUSIONS Further research on the use of e-cigarettes should be conducted on a large number of respondents in other settings to augment the findings of this study, and also guide policy making on and prevention practice of e-cigarette use, among the general student population in Malaysia.

An online survey of Malaysian long-term e-cigarette user perceptions

“…This is perhaps not surprising, particularly amongst the predominantly goal-oriented EC users in our study cohort. Previous studies have shown that although nicotine addiction remains a key driver of EC use, other factors such as being more economical and environment-friendly, public policy acceptance, and being less harmful to health, were considered strong reasons for continuous and long-term EC usage among vapers in Malaysia and other parts of the world 6,19,42,43 . Although we did not expressly collect data on the age at onset of EC use among participants in this study, the fact that most respondents engage in its use as a smoking cessation aid extends the argument that they possibly have been using it over years and may continue to do so for a long time.…”

“…International estimates found that EC use grew from 2.3 million users in 2013 to 5.1 million in 2015 4 . From the Asian perspective, Malaysia emerged as a growing EC industry, projecting a million people as regular EC users 5,6 .…”

An Analysis of Associations Between Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Users

“…Leading reasons in such studies include curiosity, flavorings and pleasant taste, low perceived harm compared to cigarettes, enjoyment, calming effect, watching the exhaled vapor, possibility of indoor smoking, peer pressure and friends' influence, personal desire, easily concealed, social influence, emotional factors such as boredom and loneliness, to avoid smoking restrictions, and to reduce tobacco smoking. 1,3,11,13,19,33 In a German study of young adults age 20 -39 y, 62.6% cited curiosity as their main reason for use while 29.4% reported using ENDS to quit tobacco. 9 In our study, one of the primary reasons for initiation of ENDS was for stress relief and influence by friends.…”

“…3 Evidence obtained from longitudinal studies has de-bunked such perceptions and portrayed the product as equally harmful or even more harmful than cigarettes among smokers, non-users, and the community as a whole. 3,19 Another study has reported that about half of the studied subjects believed ENDS were addictive, were not an effective aid for cessation or quitting smoking, 12,13 and were harmful to the user and bystanders. 11 Increased awareness of ENDS is associated with acceptance of smoking in public places, positive attitude toward the product as an innovation, the various flavors used, and risk perception among the users.…”

“…9 Globally, 11.4% ever-use was reported in the United Kingdom, 10 23.0% ever-use and 5.7% current-use in France, 11 22.6% ever-use and 1.7% current-use in Spain, 12 and in Malaysia among university students, 74.8% reported current use. 13 From a demographic perspective, the prevalence is consistently higher in men across all states in the United States. 1,14 However, there are a few studies that have shown higher usage among female college students than males.…”