Electronic cigarette use and perceptions during COVID-19 - 05/09/22
Abstract |
This study was designed to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic changed e-cigarette user habits and risk perceptions. A nationally distributed 52-item questionnaire assessed nicotine e-cigarette use, perceptions, COVID-19 diagnosis, demographic data, and vaping habits among respondents aged 16–96 years (n = 565). Questions were developed in-house to assess vaping habits of users and risk perceptions of nicotine containing e-cigarette users and non-users both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-six percent of non-users believed that e-cigarette use would lead to worse COVID-19 symptoms, compared to 40% of e-cigarette users (P < 0.001). Twenty-eight percent of non-users also believed that e-cigarette users were more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, versus 11% of e-cigarette users (P < 0.001). Fifty-eight percent of e-cigarette users described themselves as making no change in their e-cigarette usage, 10% decreased e-cigarette use, and 32% increased e-cigarette use during the pandemic. Twenty-five percent of users switched to vaping non-socially during the pandemic (P < 0.001). Sixty-seven percent of e-cigarette users replied that they would decrease or stop vaping if diagnosed with COVID and 31% said they would continue (P < 0.001). These findings reveal there are large differences in risk perception of e-cigarette use between users and non-users. Additionally, our findings characterize the habits of e-cigarette users during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing users report steady to increased use, more caution in social settings, and would reduce usage if diagnosed with COVID-19.
Il testo completo di questo articolo è disponibile in PDF.Highlights |
• | First study provide insight into both general population and tobacco consumer risk perceptions and behaviors during a pandemic. |
• | Twenty-eight percent of non-e-cigarette users believed that e-cigarette users were more likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, versus only 11% of e-cigarette users. |
• | 70% of e-cigarette users reported vaping in a social setting before the pandemic, and 25% switched to vaping non-socially during the pandemic. |
• | “Product characteristics such as ‘shape, flavors available or size’” and “pharmacological effects such as ‘having a buzz’” increased in importance during the pandemic. |
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Vol 200
Articolo 106925- agosto 2022 Ritorno al numeroBenvenuto su EM|consulte, il riferimento dei professionisti della salute.

