Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users among Malaysian current and ex-smokers

B K Ho; N M Mohamad Haniki; A R Jamalludin; D Samsul; K Mira; A R Norny Syafinaz; N Robson; Cmh Chan; K H Lim; N Baharom; N Ismail; G H Tee; M Y Ling; L H Wee

Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users among Malaysian current and ex-smokers

Malays Fam Physician. 2019 Aug 31;14(2):10-17. eCollection 2019.

Authors

B K Ho¹, N M Mohamad Haniki², A R Jamalludin³, D Samsul⁴, K Mira⁵, A R Norny Syafinaz⁶, N Robson⁷, Cmh Chan⁸, K H Lim⁹, N Baharom¹⁰, N Ismail¹¹, G H Tee¹², M Y Ling¹², L H Wee¹³

Affiliations

¹ MBBS, M Fam Med, Bandar Botanic Health Center, Blok, A, Jalan Langat, Bandar Botanic, 41200 Klang, Selangor Darul, Ehsan, Malaysia. Email: bkho@hotmail.com.
² B.Pharm(Hons), PharmD(TN, USA), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia. Email:haniki@iium.edu.my.
³ MD, MPH, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia. Email: arjamal@iium.edu.my.
⁴ MD, M Fam Med, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia. Email: nurin@iium.edu.my.
⁵ B.Com, PhD(InfoSys), International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak, Malaysia. Email: mira@iium.edu.my.
⁶ B.Pharm(Hons), PhD(Pharmacy Practice), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia. Email: norny@iium.edu.my.
⁷ MBBS, PhD(Addiction), University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur Email: noorzurani@um.edu.my.
⁸ PhD(Psycho-oncology), National University of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Email:caryn.cmh@gmail.com.
⁹ BSc Enc Science, MSc Env Science, Institute for Medical Research Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Email: keelimkota@yahoo.com.
¹⁰ DrPH, Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Email: drnizamb@yahoo.co.uk.
¹¹ DrPH, Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Email: norliana.ismail@moh.gov.my.
¹² BBioMedSC(Hons), MMedSc(Public Health), Institute for Public Health, Kuala, Lumpur Email: helentee.gh@moh.gov.my.
¹³ BA(Hons), PhD(MHlth Comm), National University of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Email: weeleihum@ukm.edu.my.

PMID: 31827730
PMCID: PMC6818688

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are new devices that have been accepted widely by both smokers and non-smokers. However, the evidence on EC used in Malaysia is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of EC use and the socio-demographic and smoking characteristics associated with current EC use among Malaysian current and ex-smokers.

Methods: This was a sub-analysis of data from a cross-sectional, national-population- based EC study conducted from May to June in 2016 in Malaysia. A detailed description of the sampling methods can be found in the National E-cigarette Survey (NECS) 2016 report. Briefly, data were obtained from 1396 individuals who had ever been smokers, i.e., 957 (68.6%) current smokers and 439 (31.4%) ex-smokers.

Results: Current EC use was found predominantly among current smokers (8.0%) as compared with ex-smokers (4.3%). Among current smokers, the main reasons given for smoking ECs were wanting to try it (44.7%), followed by intention to quit tobacco smoking (15.8%) and to reduce tobacco smoking (10.5%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that among current smokers, current EC users were more likely to be younger, i.e., 18-44 years (aOR= 4.83, 95% CI= 1.97-11.86, p=0.001), urban residents (aOR= 1.89, 95% CI= 1.15-3.11, p=0.012), single/ divorced/ widowed (aOR= 2.11, 95% CI= 1.24-3.61, p=0.006) and students (aOR= 2.25, 95% CI= 1.01-5.01, p=0.048). Among exsmokers, only younger respondents (18-44 years old) was reported as being more likely to be current EC users (aOR= 3.81, 95% CI= 1.14-12.76, p=0.030).

Conclusion: This study showed that currently using and ever having used ECs were more prevalent among current smokers. The reasons given for initiating EC use among current smokers were mainly wanting to try it, followed by intention to quit and to reduce tobacco smoking. Current EC use appears to be common among current smokers who are younger, urban residents, single/divorced/widowed and students. Therefore, EC cessation intervention strategies and policies should target these high-prevalence groups.