Percepción y prevalencia del consumo de cigarrillos electrónicos en estudiantes de Medicina / Electronic cigarettes perception and prevalence among medical students

Diversos estudios advierten de la relación a corto plazo entre el uso de los cigarrillos electrónicos y enfermedades pulmonares, cardiovasculares, además de su potencial adictivo. No existen estudios al respecto en estudiantes universitarios chilenos. MÉTODOS: Este estudio descriptivo transversal, mide la prevalencia de consumo, percepción de riesgo, motivaciones y actitudes del uso de cigarrillos electrónicos en estudiantes de Medicina, mediante un cuestionario online. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 354 sujetos, 32,9% han utilizado cigarrillos electrónicos alguna vez en la vida, 6,8% en el último año y 1,1% en el último mes. La edad media de inicio fue 18,0 ± 2,2 años. Respecto a las percepciones positivas hacia los cigarrillos electrónicos: 37,1% cree que ayudan a la gente a dejar de fumar; 39,7% que son menos peligrosos que los cigarrillos y 19,0% que son menos adictivos. El consumo de cigarrillos electrónicos alguna vez en la vida se asoció al consumo de tabaco y percepciones positivas hacia cigarrillos electrónicos (efectivo para dejar de fumar y menos adictivos que los cigarrillos). Las principales motivaciones al consumo fueron "simplemente porque sí", "porque me gusta el sabor", "me lo recomendó un amigo/familiar" y "porque me relaja". CONCLUSIÓN: Se sugiere prohibir la promoción de los cigarrillos electrónicos como una opción menos dañina y adictiva que el cigarrillo, tampoco como alternativa para dejar de fumar, puesto que la evidencia científica no es suficiente para respaldar tales afirmaciones. Este estudio puede contribuir a la prevención de consumo de cigarrillos electrónicos en poblaciones jóvenes.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies warn of the short-term relationship between the use of electronic cigarettes and lung and cardiovascular diseases, in addition to their addictive potential. There are no studies in this regard in Chilean university students. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study measures the prevalence of consumption, risk perception, motivations and attitudes of e-cigarette use in medical students, using an online questionnaire. RESULTS: We analyzed 354 subjects, 32.9% have used electronic cigarettes once in their lives, 6.8% in the last year and 1.1% in the last month. The mean age of onset was 18.0 ± 2.2 years. Regarding positive perceptions towards e-cigarettes: 37.1% believe they help people quit smoking; 39.7% that they are less dangerous than cigarettes and 19.0% that they are less addictive. E-cigarette use was once in a lifetime associated with tobacco use and positive perceptions toward e-cigarettes (effective for quitting smoking and less addictive than cigarettes). The main motivations for consumption were "simply because I do", "because I like the taste", "it was recommended to me by a friend/family member" and "because it relaxes me". CONCLUSION: It is suggested to ban the promotion of e-cigarettes as a less harmful and addictive option than cigarettes, nor as an alternative to quitting smoking, since scientific evidence is not sufficient to support such claims. This study may contribute to the prevention of e-cigarette use in young populations.

Respiratory impact of electronic cigarettes and low-risk tobacco

Abstract Electronic cigarettes, handheld devices that generate an aerosol that may contain nicotine by heating a solution or e-liquid, have been increasingly used especially in the young population. The aerosol's composition is determined by temperature, and by the substances contained in the heated liquid: glycerin, propylene glycol, nicotine in variable concentrations, flavoring agents, and other non-nicotine compounds. >80 compounds (including known toxics, e.g., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, metallic nanoparticles, and acrolein) have been found in e-liquid and aerosols. Airway irritation, mucus hypersecretion, and inflammatory response, including systemic changes, have been observed after the exposure to e-cigarettes, leading to an increase in respiratory symptoms and changes in respiratory function and the host defense mechanisms. E-cigarette has been linked with an increase of symptoms in individuals with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One of the major concerns in public health is the rise in e-cigarette experimentation among never-smokers, especially children and adolescents, which leads to nicotine addiction and increases the chances of becoming with time a conventional smoker. There is an urgent need to regulate e-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems, at least with the same restrictions to those applied to tobacco products, and not to consider them as harmless products.

Electronic cigarette awareness and use among students at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil / Conhecimento e uso do cigarro eletrônico entre estudantes da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) awareness and experimentation among university students, as well as the characteristics associated with that awareness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2015, in which 489 university students at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (Cuiabá campus), Brazil, were interviewed with the use of a specific questionnaire. We estimated the prevalence of e-cigarette awareness and use, as well as analyzing the major characteristics associated with that awareness and use. Results: The prevalence of e-cigarette awareness was 37%, and the rate of e-cigarette experimentation was 2.7%. Awareness of e-cigarettes was found to be associated with marital status, work status, the level of parental education, and the presence or absence of smokers in the family. Conclusions: A high proportion of university students were aware of e-cigarettes. Although the prevalence of those who had experimented with e-cigarettes was low, there is concern that there could be an increase in the use of these types of device. There is a need for measures targeting university students, in order to build awareness of and prevent e-cigarette use.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência do conhecimento e experimentação do cigarro eletrônico (CE) entre universitários, bem como as características associadas ao conhecimento desse tipo de dispositivo. Métodos: Estudo transversal, utilizando-se questionário específico, onde foram entrevistados 489 estudantes da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (Campus Cuiabá) no ano de 2015. Estimou-se a prevalência e foram analisadas as principais características relacionadas ao conhecimento e uso do CE. Resultados: A prevalência de conhecimento do CE foi de 37%, e a taxa de experimentação foi de 2,7%. Verificou-se associação entre o conhecimento do CE com o estado civil, estado laboral do estudante, nível de escolaridade dos pais e presença de fumantes na família. Conclusões: Foi alta a proporção de universitários que conhecem o CE. Apesar de ser pequena a prevalência dos que o experimentaram, torna-se preocupante um possível aumento do consumo desse tipo de dispositivo. Medidas devem ser direcionadas aos jovens dentro das instituições universitárias a fim de promover a conscientização e prevenção do uso do CE.