Knowledge and Perception of Risks and Use of E-Cigarettes (Vaping) Among Adults in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In the last decade, electronic cigarettes have emerged and spread over the world. Different generations varying in designs and features were developed. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to examine the level of awareness, knowledge, and perception about e-cigarettes and their use among the adults in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia aged 18 and above. We also examined the reasons e-cigarettes are used and whether adults who use e-cigarette were at risk of smoking conventional tobacco or e-cigarettes helped them quit smoking or not. Procedure/ method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and data was obtained through an online questionnaire. Targeted people were aged 18 and above and lived in the eastern province. Data collected included demographics such as age, sex, income, etc. The questions tested their knowledge and awareness on electronic cigarettes regarding safety, usage, and whether it led to conventional cigarette use, or quitting of the same. Results: The total number of participants was 1080. The prevalence of vaping among participants was 33.6%. The most common age group of participants who did vaping was 18-24 years. 53.8% of participants believed that electronic cigarettes were not safer than nicotine products. 34.3% thought that electronic cigarettes were safer than regular cigarettes and tobacco products, whereas 46.6% of them thought that they are not safer. 46% believed that electronic cigarettes contained dangerous chemicals while 18.4% thought the opposite. 11.6% reported that they had been pushed into using traditional tobacco. 26.8% reported that they quit tobacco products after switching to electronic cigarettes, whilst 16.8% reported that they reduced the usage of tobacco products after the switch. Yet, 17.9% kept using traditional tobacco products in the same quantities after switching to electronic cigarettes. Conclusion: Vaping is increasingly used among adults and a significant amount of people are unaware of its risks. Even though it may help some people quit traditional smoking, its risks have been established and hence, awareness should be raised.