E-cigarette attitudes and use in a sample of Australians aged 15-30 years

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore e-cigarette exposure and patterns of vaping in a sample of Australians aged 15-30 years to provide insight into potential means of minimising young people's harm from e-cigarettes.

Methods: A national sample of 1,006 Australians aged 15-30 years completed an online survey. Demographics, use of tobacco and vaping products, motivations for use, how e-cigarettes are obtained, where they are used, intentions to use among nonusers, exposure to others' vaping behaviours, exposure to e-cigarette advertising, perceptions of harms associated with e-cigarettes, and minors' perceptions of ease of access were assessed.

Results: Almost half of respondents reported being either current users (14%) or having tried/used e-cigarettes in the past (33%). Factors positively associated with ever use were being a past or present user of tobacco cigarettes and number of friends who vape. Stronger perceptions of addictiveness were inversely associated with use.

Conclusions: Despite current restrictions on e-cigarette availability and promotion, the results suggest many young people in Australia may be exposed to e-cigarettes in multiple ways.

Implications for public health: Additional efforts appear to be needed to control e-cigarette availability and promotion to prevent young people's exposure to vaping.

Keywords: e-cigarettes; exposure; uptake; vaping; young people.