The association between electronic cigarette use and respiratory symptoms among university students: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarette use is on the rise. It is critical to understand the respiratory hazards connected with their use for public health reasons. However, there are limited data concerning this issue in the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia in particular. This study aimed to investigate the association between e-cigarette use and respiratory symptoms among university students in Madinah city, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students using a self-administered questionnaire with self-reported respiratory symptoms as the primary outcome; a non-probability convenience sampling strategy was used. Emails were sent to all registered students in undergraduate programs between October and November 2024. Appropriate statistical tests were performed on the data, including multivariable logistic regression.

Results: A total of 499 students participated in the study, of which 17.6% were current e-cigarette users and 13.2% were ever users. Respiratory symptoms were most prevalent among current users. Current e-cigarette users and ever users had higher odds of respiratory symptoms than never users (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=2.26; 95% CI: 1.14-4.51 and AOR=2.32; 95% CI: 1.21-4.46, respectively), after adjusting for demographic characteristics, tobacco use, exposure to tobacco and e-cigarettes, and other health factors.

Conclusions: We found a significant association between e-cigarette use and adverse respiratory symptoms among university students, independent of tobacco use.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; electronic cigarettes; respiratory symptoms; vaping; young adults.

Figure 1

Prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms according to e-cigarettes use, a cross-sectional study, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, 2024 (N=499)