Dilek Aslan1, Aylin Gürbay2, Mutlu Hayran3, Meltem Şengelen1, Duygu Paslı2, Beril Hüseyin3. 1. Department of Public Health, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. 2. Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara, Turkey. 3. Department of Preventive Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of electronic (e)-cigarette users for clarifying the causes of e-cigarette smoking and to identify the carbon monoxide (CO) and urinary cotinine levels of the volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty volunteers who smoked e-cigarettes completed a questionnaire, and their exhaled CO and urinary cotinine levels were measured. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used for cotinine analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 85% of the participants were males, 60% were married, and 75% were college/university graduates. The median age of participants was 38.5 years. The participants' main reasons for starting to smoke were peer influence and curiosity. The participants' main reasons for smoking e-cigarettes were to quit and reduce smoking the conventional cigarettes and cost effectiveness. Only three people knew that smoking was harmful to health. The participants' CO levels were measured as a median of 3, lowest of 1, and highest of 22. Cotinine levels were "positive" in all samples. A moderate and statistically significant correlation was found between the amount of fluids used by the participants in 1 day (mL) and cotinine levels in urine specimens (Pearson correlation test, r=0.511, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: The study is an important proof of the country's scientific work on e-cigarettes. Preventive strategies should be very strictly implemented for any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, as they harm individuals and the community.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this descriptive study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of electronic (e)-cigarette users for clarifying the causes of e-cigarette smoking and to identify the carbon monoxide (CO) and urinary cotinine levels of the volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty volunteers who smoked e-cigarettes completed a questionnaire, and their exhaled CO and urinary cotinine levels were measured. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used for cotinine analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 85% of the participants were males, 60% were married, and 75% were college/university graduates. The median age of participants was 38.5 years. The participants' main reasons for starting to smoke were peer influence and curiosity. The participants' main reasons for smoking e-cigarettes were to quit and reduce smoking the conventional cigarettes and cost effectiveness. Only three people knew that smoking was harmful to health. The participants' CO levels were measured as a median of 3, lowest of 1, and highest of 22. Cotinine levels were "positive" in all samples. A moderate and statistically significant correlation was found between the amount of fluids used by the participants in 1 day (mL) and cotinine levels in urine specimens (Pearson correlation test, r=0.511, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: The study is an important proof of the country's scientific work on e-cigarettes. Preventive strategies should be very strictly implemented for any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, as they harm individuals and the community.