Gary Chan1, Janni Leung2, Coral Gartner3, Hua-Hie Yong4, Ron Borland5, Wayne Hall6. 1. Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: c.chan4@uq.edu.au. 2. Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, The University of New South Wales, Australia. 3. School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Australia; Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, Australia. 4. School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia. 5. Cancer Council Victoria, Australia. 6. Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
AIMS: In Australia, sales of nicotine containing electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarette) are banned unless approved as a therapeutic good. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of e-cigarette use and its correlates in Australia using a nationally representative survey. METHOD: We analysed data from the largest drug use survey in Australia (the National Drug Strategy Household Survey [NDSHS]; N = 22,354). RESULTS: We estimated that 227,000 Australians (1.2% of the population) were current e-cigarettes users, and 97,000 (0.5%) used them daily. Individuals who were male, younger, had higher level of psychological distress, and smoked were more likely to use electronic cigarettes. Among smokers, an intention to quit and reduction in smoking was associated with experimentation and daily use of e-cigarette, but not with occasional use. Recent quitting was associated with daily use. CONCLUSION: Overall, the prevalence of e-cigarette use was low in 2016 in Australia. Smoking status was the strongest correlates of e-cigarette use. Patterns of vaping were differentialy associated with an intention to quit smoking, smoking reduction and recent quitting. Some smokers may attempt to use e-cigarettes to cut-down their tobacco use, and those who vaped daily were mostly likely to be recent quitters.
AIMS: In Australia, sales of nicotine containing electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarette) are banned unless approved as a therapeutic good. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of e-cigarette use and its correlates in Australia using a nationally representative survey. METHOD: We analysed data from the largest drug use survey in Australia (the National Drug Strategy Household Survey [NDSHS]; N = 22,354). RESULTS: We estimated that 227,000 Australians (1.2% of the population) were current e-cigarettes users, and 97,000 (0.5%) used them daily. Individuals who were male, younger, had higher level of psychological distress, and smoked were more likely to use electronic cigarettes. Among smokers, an intention to quit and reduction in smoking was associated with experimentation and daily use of e-cigarette, but not with occasional use. Recent quitting was associated with daily use. CONCLUSION: Overall, the prevalence of e-cigarette use was low in 2016 in Australia. Smoking status was the strongest correlates of e-cigarette use. Patterns of vaping were differentialy associated with an intention to quit smoking, smoking reduction and recent quitting. Some smokers may attempt to use e-cigarettes to cut-down their tobacco use, and those who vaped daily were mostly likely to be recent quitters.
Authors: Daniel A Erku; Kylie Morphett; Kathryn J Steadman; Coral E Gartner Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-11-18 Impact factor: 3.390