Electronic cigarettes consumption and associated factors among general population in Western Saudi Arabia

• Main Authors: Ziyad Alzahrani, Syed Faisal Zaidi, Hatem Alsolami, Bader Bashrahil, Nawaf Alghamdi, Mohammad Nooh, Muhammad Anwar Khan, Asim Muhammed Alshanberi, Sultan Qanash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAGEPress Publications 2021-09-01
• Series: Journal of Public Health Research
• Subjects: E-cigarette; prevalence; traditional smoking; general population awareness; Jeddah; Saudi Arabia
• Online Access: https://www.jphres.org/index.php/jphres/article/view/2346
• ISSN: 2279-9028; 2279-9036

Background: In recent years, consumption of E-cigarettes has increased dramatically. Several studies have focused on the prevalence of E-cigarettes among specific groups of people, using it as a substitute to traditional cigarettes, or the participant knowledge regarding risks. This research was aimed on E-cigarettes’ prevalence and its association to several factors in the general population of Western Saudi Arabia. Design and Methods: Using an observational cross-sectional study, data were collected from (n=465) above 18 years old smokers during the survey at public attractions. A validated self-administered questionnaire acquired from previous studies was employed to insure the suitability for the general population of Jeddah Saudi Arabia. Sample size was calculated via Raosoft@ and adults of either gender were included in the study. Descriptive or inferential statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: The preponderance of e-cigarette smokers used entertainment as the reason for smoking, with an average of (33.9%). Although one reason for e-cigarette consumption was to cease traditional smoking, results showed an average of (49.4%), which is the majority of those who attempted to cease traditional smoking via e-cigarette, did not succeed in quitting traditional smoking. This study also demonstrated that participant that believed that e-cigarette is beneficial had a higher chance to cease conventional smoking than who did not (32.1% versus 14.6%) which is significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, this study estimated the prevalence of e-cigarette consumption among the population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia along with assessment of elements which help increase the overall e-cigarette consumption in Jeddah.