Nan Jiang1, Jing Chen2, Man-Ping Wang3, Sarah M McGhee4, Antonio C S Kwong4, Vienna W Y Lai4, Tai-Hing Lam1. 1. School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 5/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong. 2. School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, 4/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong. 3. School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, 4/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong. Electronic address: mpwang@hku.hk. 4. Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Unit 4402-03, 44/F Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained popularity rapidly in the Western world but data in the East are scarce. We examined the awareness and ever use of e-cigarettes, and reasons for e-cigarette use in a probability sample of adults in Hong Kong. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected in 2014 from Chinese adults aged 15-65 in Hong Kong (819 never smokers, 800 former smokers, 800 current smokers) via computer-assisted telephone interviews (response rate: 73.8%). Analysis was limited to a subset of 809 respondents (i.e., 357 never smokers, 269 former smokers, 183 current smokers) who were randomly selected to answer questions on e-cigarettes. Chi-square analyses compared e-cigarette awareness and ever use by gender, age, education, and cigarette smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression examined if e-cigarette awareness was associated with demographic variables and cigarette smoking status. RESULTS: 75.4% of adults had heard of e-cigarettes, and 2.3% reported having used e-cigarettes. Greater awareness was associated with male gender and higher education. Ever use of e-cigarettes was higher among males (3.6%, p=.03), younger adults (aged 15-29, 5.2%, p=.002), and current cigarette smokers (11.8%, p<.001). Common reasons for using e-cigarettes were curiosity (47.4%), the stylish product design (25.8%), and quitting smoking (13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of e-cigarettes was widespread in Hong Kong. Although the use of e-cigarettes was low, its relation with younger age and current smoking is of concern. Health surveillance of e-cigarette use is needed. Interventions should target young adults and cigarette smokers, and address the marketing messages, especially the effect of e-cigarettes on smoking cessation.
INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained popularity rapidly in the Western world but data in the East are scarce. We examined the awareness and ever use of e-cigarettes, and reasons for e-cigarette use in a probability sample of adults in Hong Kong. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected in 2014 from Chinese adults aged 15-65 in Hong Kong (819 never smokers, 800 former smokers, 800 current smokers) via computer-assisted telephone interviews (response rate: 73.8%). Analysis was limited to a subset of 809 respondents (i.e., 357 never smokers, 269 former smokers, 183 current smokers) who were randomly selected to answer questions on e-cigarettes. Chi-square analyses compared e-cigarette awareness and ever use by gender, age, education, and cigarette smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression examined if e-cigarette awareness was associated with demographic variables and cigarette smoking status. RESULTS: 75.4% of adults had heard of e-cigarettes, and 2.3% reported having used e-cigarettes. Greater awareness was associated with male gender and higher education. Ever use of e-cigarettes was higher among males (3.6%, p=.03), younger adults (aged 15-29, 5.2%, p=.002), and current cigarette smokers (11.8%, p<.001). Common reasons for using e-cigarettes were curiosity (47.4%), the stylish product design (25.8%), and quitting smoking (13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of e-cigarettes was widespread in Hong Kong. Although the use of e-cigarettes was low, its relation with younger age and current smoking is of concern. Health surveillance of e-cigarette use is needed. Interventions should target young adults and cigarette smokers, and address the marketing messages, especially the effect of e-cigarettes on smoking cessation.
Authors: Luis Zavala-Arciniega; Luz Myriam Reynales-Shigematsu; Paula Lozano; Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Andrade; Edna Arillo-Santillán; James F Thrasher Journal: Prev Med Date: 2018-09-24 Impact factor: 4.018
Authors: Allison M Glasser; Lauren Collins; Jennifer L Pearson; Haneen Abudayyeh; Raymond S Niaura; David B Abrams; Andrea C Villanti Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2016-11-30 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Yee Tak Derek Cheung; Man Ping Wang; Sai Yin Ho; Nan Jiang; Antonio Kwong; Vienna Lai; Tai Hing Lam Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-06-30 Impact factor: 3.390