Knowledge, Perception, and Associated Factors of Electronic Cigarette Consumption Among the Saudi Population in Jeddah City

Abstract

Introduction Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are rising in popularity among young adults and teenagers. Previous studies have shown that among high and middle schoolers, the percentage of e-cigarette smokers was noticeably higher than tobacco cigarette smokers. Various research papers focusing on different communities have reported a low-to-moderate level of knowledge and awareness of e-cigarette's effects on health. E-cigarettes were initially advertised as devices to help people quit smoking, but the use of e-cigarettes in modern days has changed considerably. A big chunk of the population perceived that e-cigarettes have no harmful effects because they are nicotine-free and thus are used as a replacement for regular cigarettes rather than as a way to quit smoking. Objectives The study aimed to assess the perception of e-cigarette consumption and associated factors among the Saudi population in Jeddah city. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted on the Saudi population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during the year 2023. The study assessed the participant's perceptions of e-cigarette consumption and its risk factors. A pre-existing online questionnaire created by Google Forms was distributed among the population through social media applications to collect data after obtaining their informed consent. Results A total of 515 participants were included in this study. Relatives and friends were the most common sources (54%) for information about e-cigarettes. Of the sample, 17.5% thought that e-cigarettes were safer than conventional cigarettes, 13.4% used e-cigarettes on a regular basis, and 65% had not smoked electronically before. Vaping pushed only 17.2% to try traditional tobacco cigarettes, and 25% stopped using traditional tobacco products after starting to smoke e-cigarettes. Gender, age group, and total family salary were the associated factors with the use of e-cigarettes. In addition, an association between the perception of e-smoking and its use was noticed, as well as a significant association between gender and withdrawal symptoms. Conclusion A minority of the participants perceived that e-cigarette smoking is safer than conventional methods of smoking. The majority did not practice e-smoking at all. Furthermore, results showed that relatives and friends were the most common sources of information. The findings from the correlation testing underscore several noteworthy associations within the studied population. Notably, gender, age, total family salary, and occupation exhibited statistically significant correlations with e-cigarette usage.

Keywords: electronic cigarettes; jeddah city; nicotine; saudi population; traditional cigarettes; volatile organic compounds.

Figure 1. Methods of hearing or learning about e-cigarettes among participants, Jeddah City (N=515)

E-cigarette: electronic cigarette

Figure 2. Percentage of participants using e-cigarettes, Jeddah City (N=515)

E-cigarette: electronic cigarette

Figure 3. Frequency of e-cigarette use, Jeddah City (N=160)

E-cigarette: electronic cigarette

Figure 4. Prevalence of withdrawal symptoms after e-cigarettes use among participants, Jeddah City (N=145)

E-cigarette: electronic cigarette

Figure 5. Symptoms experienced after vaping, Jeddah City (N=354)

Figure 6. Did vaping push you to try traditional tobacco cigarettes when you had not used them before?

Figure 7. If you vaped or used e-cigarettes to quit traditional tobacco products, did it work?

E-cigarette: electronic cigarette