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. 2023 Oct;47(5):100076.
doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100076. Epub 2023 Aug 22.

E-cigarette use and other risk factors associated with tobacco smoking susceptibility among Australian adolescents

Maree Scully  1 , Elizabeth Greenhalgh  2 , Emily Bain  3 , Melanie Wakefield  4 , Sarah Durkin  4 , Victoria White  5
Affiliations
Free article

E-cigarette use and other risk factors associated with tobacco smoking susceptibility among Australian adolescents

Maree Scully et al. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2023 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

Objective: To explore risk factors for smoking susceptibility among Australian adolescents to inform prevention policies and programs.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of students aged 12-17 years who reported having never smoked (n=4,171). Bivariate associations between smoking susceptibility and a range of factors previously linked to youth smoking and smoking susceptibility were initially examined, with significant factors (p<0.05) included in a final multivariable logistic regression model.

Results: Eleven percent of adolescents who had never smoked were susceptible to smoking. Smoking susceptibility was independently associated with ever use of e-cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.83-5.81), perceiving those who smoke to be more popular (AOR=2.87, 95% CI: 1.62-5.10), having a close friend/s who smokes (AOR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.61-4.40), not perceiving smoking one or two cigarettes occasionally as personally dangerous (AOR=2.56, 95% CI: 1.61-4.09), and having symptoms of depression (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.06-2.38).

Conclusions: The strongest smoking-initiation risk factor identified was ever use of e-cigarettes, with social norms, harm misperceptions around low-rate tobacco use and mental health also linked to smoking susceptibility.

Implications for public health: Stronger e-cigarette regulations that reduce promotion to and access by youth, as well as interventions addressing the other identified risk factors, may help prevent future smoking uptake among Australian adolescents.

Keywords: adolescent health; cross-sectional survey; e-cigarettes; prevention; smoking susceptibility.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Victoria White reports financial support was provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services. All authors are employed by (MS, EG, EB, MW, SD), or hold an honorary position with (VW), a non-profit organisation that conducts public health intervention, research and advocacy aimed at reducing the harms of tobacco in the community.

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