Proper

Abstract

Background: Awareness of the necessity for smoking cessation has increased globally. This has prompted increased interest in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as substitutions for regular (tobacco) cigarettes. Accordingly, we examined the e-cigarettes usage among college students.
Objectives: We examined the perceptions and usage patterns of e-cigarettes among college students, and investigated factors associated with e-cigarette use.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of students attending a 4-year or a 2-year college in Busan, South Korea. A structured questionnaire designed specifically for this study was distributed to a total of 600 students.
Results: Participants who perceived that e-cigarettes resulted in smoking cessation had 2-fold greater odds of having experience with e-cigarettes compared to individuals who did not perceive this. Additionally, participants who perceived e-cigarettes as having “no risk” had roughly 2-fold greater odds of having experience with e-cigarettes.
Conclusions: E-cigarettes are safe in the short-term and may encourage smoking cessation; however, they do not have any special long-term effects. Accordingly, research on the addictiveness of e-cigarettes and health-related issues must continue.