Alahmadi Shahad Mubarak, Al-Zalabani Abdulmohsen Hamdan
Joint Program of Preventive Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah 42353, Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Aug 9;13(16):1949. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13161949.
: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained popularity among young adults globally, but only limited research exists on usage patterns in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with e-cigarette use initiation and transition to cigarette smoking among university students in Saudi Arabia. : A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 537 university students in Al-Madinah city during the 2024-2025 academic year. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire assessing e-cigarette use patterns, motivations, susceptibility to future cigarette smoking, and demographic characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with e-cigarette use. : E-cigarette prevalence was substantial: 11.7% of participants were current users, 5.4% were former users, and 27.9% were ever-users, compared with 5.8% current cigarette smokers. Males had significantly higher use rates than females (20.9% vs. 4.6%; < 0.001). Senior students showed the highest current use (21.1%). Among ever-users, the primary motivations were enjoyment (29.3%), the possibility of use where smoking is banned (26.1%), and social acceptability (21.7%). Most users (73.0%) used high-nicotine liquids (≥20 mg/mL), and 55.4% vaped daily. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that e-cigarette use was independently associated with male gender (adjusted OR = 4.0), higher academic year (OR = 1.24), current smoking (adjusted OR = 3.45; 95 CI: 1.54-7.82), and lower harm perception (adjusted OR = 1.69; 95 CI: 1.16-2.51). Susceptibility to future cigarette smoking was 18.9% overall but much higher among current e-cigarette smokers (59.5%; < 0.001). : E-cigarette use was prevalent among Saudi university students, particularly males and senior students, with patterns suggestive of nicotine dependence. Strong associations with cigarette smoking and high-concentration nicotine use raise concerns about dual use and addiction potential.
电子烟在全球范围内的年轻人中越来越受欢迎，但沙特阿拉伯关于其使用模式的研究有限。本研究调查了沙特阿拉伯大学生中电子烟使用的流行情况、模式以及与开始使用电子烟和转向吸烟相关的因素。
在2024 - 2025学年期间，对麦地那市的537名大学生进行了一项横断面调查。使用自行填写的在线问卷收集数据，该问卷评估了电子烟的使用模式、动机、未来吸烟的易感性以及人口统计学特征。采用多变量逻辑回归分析来确定与电子烟使用相关的因素。
11.7%的参与者为当前使用者，5.4%为曾经使用者，27.9%为曾经使用过电子烟的人，而当前吸烟者的比例为5.8%。男性的使用率显著高于女性（20.9%对4.6%；<0.001）。高年级学生的当前使用率最高（21.1%）。在曾经使用过电子烟的人中，主要动机是享受（29.3%）、在禁止吸烟的地方使用的可能性（26.1%）以及社会可接受性（21.7%）。大多数使用者（73.0%）使用高尼古丁液体（≥20毫克/毫升），55.4%的人每天吸食电子烟。多变量逻辑回归显示，电子烟的使用与男性性别（调整后的OR = 4.0）、较高的学年（OR = 1.24）、当前吸烟（调整后的OR = 3.45；95%置信区间：1.54 - 7.82）以及较低的危害认知（调整后的OR = 1.69；95%置信区间：1.16 - 2.51）独立相关。未来吸烟的易感性总体为18.9%，但在当前电子烟使用者中要高得多（59.5%；<0.001）。
电子烟在沙特大学生中很普遍，尤其是男性和高年级学生，其使用模式表明存在尼古丁依赖。与吸烟和高浓度尼古丁使用的紧密关联引发了对双重使用和成瘾潜力的担忧。
