Perception of adults toward electronic cigarettes: a cross-sectional study from Jordan. (28th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barakat, Muna; Assaf, Areej M.; Al-Qudah, Raja'a; Thiab, Samar; Alhamed, Manar; Al-Obaidi, Hala J.; Jirjees, Feras J.; Basheti, Iman
• Is Part Of: Primary health care research & development. Volume 22(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-28
• Subjects: beliefs, -- Jordan, -- E-cigarettes, -- E-cig, -- knowledge, -- smoking; Family medicine -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Primary care (Medicine) -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1094105
• DOI: 10.1017/S1463423621000062
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-4236

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The rate of Jordanian tobacco smokers has been reported to be one of the highest rates in the world. The electronic cigarette (E-cig) has become an option, or an alternative, to tobacco cigarette smoking. This study was aimed to measure the perception of Jordanian adults toward E-cig use. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. A self-administered survey was developed and validated to solicit anonymous responses from the study participants. A convenience sample ( n = 984) was recruited electronically through social media platforms. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were completed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: More than half of the participants (53%) were females, and almost all participants had heard about E-cig (99.2%), mainly from their friends (40%) and social media (34.5%). About half of the participants were nonsmokers and around one-third of them (33.1%) were current E-cig users. The majority of the participating E-cig users had replaced tobacco with E-cig (56.4%)/All the E-cig users reported positive beliefs toward the E-cig as a safer alternative for tobacco smoking. About 45% of participants believed that the E-cig is helpful in tobacco smoking cessation, but should be highly regulated. Conclusion: This study illustrated a significant prevalence of E-cig usage among Jordanian adults. E-cig users perceived E-cig as a safer and cheaper alternative to tobacco smoking and that it helps in tobacco smoking cessation. However, health awareness campaigns are needed for the entire Jordanian community about E-cig use, related emerging health findings, and how to promote tobacco smoking cessation.