More than half of adolescent E-Cigarette users had never smoked a cigarette: findings from a study of school children in the UK.
Public Health
; 161: 33-35, 2018 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29870832
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are known for their use as a smoking cessation aid; however, experimental use in adolescence is a growing international concern. The proportion of adolescent EC users who have never used tobacco is rising. EC use is associated with later tobacco initiation in young people. Understanding adolescent beliefs about ECs is needed to inform public health campaigns and school education regarding the EC and the associated risks. STUDYDESIGN:
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based design was used.METHODS:
As part of a larger study, questionnaires to assess beliefs about ECs and current use were distributed to 499 school pupils aged 11-16 years in a county in England, UK.RESULTS:
More than half of EC users had never used tobacco (52.6%), a substantially greater proportion than previously reported in the literature. Adolescents were aware that ECs were less harmful than tobacco but many were unaware that they contain nicotine and the subsequent risk of addiction could lead to later tobacco use.CONCLUSIONS:
Given the possible association of EC use and later smoking initiation, education in schools may warrant greater emphasis on ECs, the role of nicotine and the risk of addiction associated with experimentation. Young people who deem ECs as a 'safe' option, and may otherwise have never experimented with tobacco, could be at risk of later tobacco use.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estudantes
/
Fumar
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Produtos do Tabaco
/
Sistemas Eletrônicos de Liberação de Nicotina
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Public Health
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article