Electronic Cigarette Usage Patterns and Perceptions in Adult Australians
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Procedures
2.2. Survey Questions
2.3. Data Analyses
3. Results
3.1. Participant Demographics
3.2. E-Cigarette Usage and Tobacco Smoking Status
3.3. Devices and Liquids Used
3.4. Perceptions of Safety and Efficacy
3.5. Perceptions of E-Cigarette Regulation
4. Discussion
4.1. E-Cigarette Usage and Tobacco Smoking Status
4.2. Initiation and Cessation of E-Cigarette Usage
4.3. Devices and Liquids Used
4.4. Perceptions of Safety and Efficacy
4.5. Regulation
4.6. Study Limitations
4.7. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Total Sample (n = 505) n (%) | Current E-Cigarette User (n = 307) n (%) | Former E-Cigarette User (n = 198) n (%) | Significance * | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sex | ||||
Male | 308 (61.0) | 203 (66.1) | 105 (53.0) | p = 0.006 |
Female | 194 (38.4) | 102 (33.2) | 92 (46.5) | p = 0.006 |
Nonbinary/prefer not to say | 3 (0.6) | 2 (0.7) | 1 (0.5) | |
Age (years) | ||||
18–24 | 80 (15.8) | 51 (16.6) | 29 (14.6) | |
25–34 | 158 (31.3) | 104 (33.9) | 54 (27.3) | |
35–44 | 105 (20.8) | 65 (21.2) | 40 (20.2) | |
45–54 | 96 (19.0) | 55 (17.9) | 41 (20.7) | |
55–65 | 47 (9.3) | 25 (8.1) | 22 (11.1) | |
Over 65 | 19 (3.8) | 7 (2.3) | 12 (6.1) | |
State | ||||
Australian Capital Territory | 6 (1.2) | 4 (1.3) | 2 (1.0) | |
New South Wales | 145 (28.7) | 97 (31.6) | 48 (24.2) | |
Northern Territory | 1 (0.2) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.5) | |
Queensland | 113 (22.4) | 54 (17.6) | 59 (29.8) | p = 0.012 |
South Australia | 52 (10.3) | 34 (11.1) | 18 (9.1) | |
Tasmania | 6 (1.2) | 1 (0.3) | 5 (2.5) | |
Victoria | 123 (24.4) | 79 (25.7) | 44 (22.2) | |
Western Australia | 59 (11.7) | 38 (12.4) | 21 (10.6) | |
Employment status | ||||
Unemployed (seeking work) | 44 (8.7) | 20 (6.5) | 24 (12.1) | |
Unemployed (not seeking work) | 17 (3.4) | 9 (2.9) | 8 (4.0) | |
Employed (full time) | 262 (51.9) | 191 (62.2) | 71 (35.9) | p < 0.001 |
Employed (part time/casual) | 114 (22.6) | 54 (17.6) | 60 (30.3) | p < 0.001 |
Student | 25 (5.0) | 16 (5.2) | 9 (4.5) | |
Retired | 20 (4.0) | 8 (2.6) | 12 (6.1) | |
Unable to work | 23 (4.6) | 9 (2.9) | 14 (7.1) | |
Highest level of education | ||||
Did not complete high school | 54 (10.7) | 24 (7.8) | 30 (15.2) | |
High school certificate | 83 (16.4) | 48 (15.6) | 35 (17.7) | |
TAFE/Diploma | 14 (28.5) | 86 (28.0) | 58 (29.3) | |
Attended/attending university (but have not graduated) | 39 (7.7) | 22 (7.2) | 17 (8.6) | |
Bachelor’s degree | 143 (28.3) | 98 (31.9) | 45 (22.7) | |
Completed/completing postgraduate studies | 42 (8.3) | 29 (9.4) | 13 (6.6) | |
Children under 18 at home | ||||
Yes | 234 (46.3) | 165 (53.7) | 69 (34.8) | p < 0.001 |
No | 271 (53.7) | 142 (43.3) | 129 (65.2) | p < 0.001 |
Household income | ||||
Less than AUD 40,000 | 86 (17.0) | 33 (10.7) | 53 (26.8) | p < 0.001 |
AUD 40,001 to AUD 70,000 | 109 (21.6) | 62 (20.2) | 47 (23.7) | |
AUD 70,001 to AUD 90,000 | 88 (17.4) | 61 (19.9) | 27 (13.6) | |
AUD 90,001 to AUD 130,000 | 115 (22.8) | 79 (25.7) | 36 (18.2) | |
Above AUD 130,000 | 94 (18.6) | 67 (21.8) | 27 (16.6) | |
Prefer not to say | 13 (2.6) | 5 (1.6) | 8 (4.0) | |
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander | ||||
Yes | 17 (3.4) | 13 (4.2) | 4 (2.0) | |
No | 488 (96.6) | 294 (95.8) | 194 (98.8) | |
Doctor diagnosed respiratory condition # | ||||
Asthma | 99 (19.6) | 65 (19.4) | 34 (16.4) | |
COPD | 14 (2.8) | 7 (2.1) | 7 (3.4) | |
Emphysema | 11 (2.2) | 6 (1.8) | 5 (2.4) | |
Bronchiectasis | 12 (2.4) | 10 (3.0) | 2 (1.0) | |
Chronic bronchitis | 17 (3.4) | 11 (3.3) | 6 (2.9) | |
Lung cancer | 2 (0.4) | 2 (0.6) | 0 (0.0) | |
Cystic fibrosis | 3 (0.6) | 3 (0.9) | 0 (0.0) | |
None of the above | 384 (76.0) | 231 (69.0) | 207 (73.9) |
Total Sample (n = 505) n (%) | Current E-Cigarette User (n = 307) n (%) | Former E-Cigarette User (n = 198) n (%) | Significance * | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Smoking Status | ||||
I smoke daily | 198 (39.2) | 138 (45.0) | 60 (30.0) | p = 0.002 |
I smoke occasionally | 117 (23.2) | 91 (29.6) | 26 (13.1) | p < 0.001 |
I don’t smoke now, but I used to | 117 (23.2) | 52 (16.9) | 65 (32.8) | p < 0.001 |
I’ve tried a few times, but never smoked regularly | 65 (12.9) | 25 (8.1) | 40 (20.2) | p < 0.001 |
I’ve never smoked | 6 (1.2) | 1 (0.3) | 5 (2.5) | p = 0.044 |
None/don’t know | 2 (0.4) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (1.0) | |
How often do you use e-cigarettes? | ||||
Constantly throughout the day | 63 (12.5) | 42 (13.7) | 21 (10.6) | |
Multiple times per day | 151 (29.9) | 101 (32.9) | 50 (25.3) | |
Once per day | 33 (6.5) | 27 (8.8) | 6 (3.0) | |
A few times per week | 83 (16.4) | 61 (19.9) | 22 (11.1) | |
Weekly | 17 (3.4) | 10 (3.3) | 7 (3.5) | |
A few times per month | 59 (11.7) | 43 (14.0) | 16 (8.1) | |
Monthly | 11 (2.2) | 5 (1.6) | 6 (3.0) | |
Less than monthly | 88 (17.4) | 18 (5.9) | 70 (35.4) | p < 0.001 |
How long have you used e-cigarettes? | ||||
Less than 6 months | 181 (35.8) | 79 (25.7) | 102 (51.5) | p < 0.001 |
6 months to a year | 154 (30.5) | 104 (33.9) | 50 (25.3) | |
1 to 2 years | 100 (19.8) | 75 (24.4) | 25 (12.6) | p < 0.001 |
More than 2 years | 70 (13.9) | 49 (16.0) | 21 (10.6) | |
Do you experience cravings to use e-cigarettes? | ||||
Never | 187 (37.0) | 79 (25.7) | 108 (54.5) | p < 0.001 |
Sometimes | 267 (52.9) | 188 (61.2) | 79 (39.9) | p < 0.001 |
Frequently | 38 (7.5) | 35 (11.4) | 3 (1.5) | p < 0.001 |
Don’t know | 13 (2.6) | 5 (1.6) | 8 (4.0) | |
How do you use your e-cigarette? | ||||
As needed throughout the day with no defined sessions | 157 (31.1) | 106 (34.5) | 51 (25.8) | |
In separate sessions, similar to smoking a cigarette | 158 (31.3) | 101 (32.9) | 57 (28.8) | |
In social gatherings only | 63 (12.5) | 25 (8.1) | 38 (19.2) | p = 0.002 |
Mainly in defined sessions with some ‘top up’ hits as needed | 25 (5.0) | 15 (4.9) | 10 (5.1) | |
Occasionally | 95 (18.8) | 58 (18.9) | 37 (18.7) | |
Other | 7 (1.4) | 2 (0.7) | 5 (2.5) | |
Where do you use e-cigarettes? # | ||||
Inside at my home | 220 (43.6) | 143 (46.6) | 77 (38.9) | |
Outside at my home | 358 (70.9) | 229 (74.6) | 129 (65.2) | |
Inside at public places | 74 (14.7) | 45 (14.7) | 29 (14.6) | |
Outside at public places | 235 (46.5) | 158 (51.5) | 77 (38.9) | |
Inside at my workplace | 26 (5.1) | 18 (5.9) | 8 (4.0) | |
Outside at my workplace | 139 (27.5) | 95 (30.9) | 44 (22.2) | |
Alone | 170 (33.7) | 109 (35.5) | 61 (30.8) | |
With others present | 186 (36.8) | 106 (34.5) | 80 (40.4) | |
In the car | 93 (18.4) | 64 (20.8) | 29 (14.6) | |
Are you typically able to use your e-cigarette in places where smoking is banned? | ||||
Yes | 73 (14.5) | 58 (18.9) | 15 (7.6) | p < 0.001 |
No | 338 (66.9) | 210 (68.4) | 128 (64.6) | |
Don’t know | 94 (18.6) | 39 (12.7) | 55 (27.8) | p < 0.001 |
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | Don’t Know | Significance * | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-cigarettes are completely safe to use long-term | |||||||
Current | 5.2 | 17.6 | 37.1 | 24.4 | 6.2 | 9.4 | p = 0.016 |
Former | 12.1 | 31.8 | 33.3 | 5.1 | 1.5 | 16.2 | p = 0.016 |
18–25 years | 4.3 | 31.9 | 31.9 | 21.3 | 2.1 | 8.5 | |
26–39 years | 9.9 | 21.2 | 31.1 | 16.5 | 6.1 | 15.1 | |
40+ years | 7.5 | 21.1 | 42.2 | 15.1 | 3.5 | 10.6 | |
E-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than tobacco cigarettes | |||||||
Current | 3.3 | 7.8 | 26.1 | 38.4 | 19.2 | 5.2 | p = 0.001 |
Former | 6.1 | 13.1 | 32.3 | 28.8 | 10.1 | 9.6 | |
18–25 years | 6.4 | 7.4 | 30.9 | 35.1 | 13.8 | 6.4 | |
26–39 years | 3.3 | 9.0 | 31.1 | 33.0 | 14.2 | 9.4 | |
40+ years | 4.5 | 12.1 | 24.6 | 36.2 | 18.1 | 4.5 | |
E-cigarettes are just as harmful as tobacco cigarettes | |||||||
Current | 12.1 | 25.4 | 28.3 | 20.5 | 7.2 | 6.5 | |
Former | 9.1 | 20.2 | 28.3 | 24.2 | 8.1 | 10.1 | |
18–25 years | 7.4 | 23.4 | 35.1 | 23.4 | 2.1 | 8.5 | |
26–39 years | 7.1 | 19.8 | 28.8 | 26.9 | 11.3 | 6.1 | |
40+ years | 16.6 | 27.1 | 24.6 | 16.1 | 6.0 | 9.5 | p = 0.003 |
E-cigarettes are more harmful than tobacco cigarettes | |||||||
Current | 19.5 | 27.7 | 29.6 | 11.4 | 5.5 | 6.2 | |
Former | 16.2 | 25.3 | 35.4 | 9.1 | 2.5 | 11.6 | |
18–25 years | 11.7 | 28.7 | 35.1 | 13.8 | 4.3 | 6.4 | |
26–39 years | 13.2 | 24.1 | 33.5 | 14.2 | 6.1 | 9.0 | |
40+ years | 26.6 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 8.5 | p = 0.034 |
E-cigarettes are safe to use around other people | |||||||
Current | 5.2 | 12.1 | 34.2 | 32.9 | 11.7 | 3.9 | |
Former | 10.6 | 15.7 | 35.9 | 21.7 | 5.1 | 11.1 | p < 0.001 |
18–25 years | 2.1 | 9.6 | 40.4 | 29.8 | 11.7 | 6.4 | |
26–39 years | 7.5 | 17.5 | 39.2 | 28.8 | 9.9 | 7.1 | |
40+ years | 9.5 | 11.1 | 38.2 | 27.6 | 7.0 | 6.5 | |
There is sufficient evidence that e-cigarettes are safe | |||||||
Current | 5.5 | 17.9 | 38.4 | 26.7 | 7.8 | 3.6 | p < 0.001 |
Former | 9.6 | 24.7 | 39.9 | 11.6 | 2.0 | 12.1 | p < 0.001 |
18–25 years | 3.2 | 16.0 | 44.7 | 23.4 | 4.3 | 8.5 | |
26–39 years | 6.6 | 25.9 | 33.0 | 22.2 | 6.6 | 5.7 | |
40+ years | 9.5 | 17.1 | 42.7 | 18.1 | 5.0 | 7.5 | |
People who smoke tobacco cigarettes should switch to e-cigarettes to improve their health | |||||||
Current | 3.3 | 6.8 | 28.3 | 44.3 | 13.4 | 3.9 | |
Former | 3.5 | 12.6 | 35.4 | 31.8 | 9.6 | 7.1 | |
18–25 years | 1.1 | 11.7 | 34.0 | 41.5 | 8.5 | 3.2 | |
26–39 years | 3.8 | 9.4 | 30.7 | 38.2 | 12.7 | 5.2 | |
40+ years | 4.0 | 7.5 | 30.2 | 39.7 | 12.6 | 3.0 | |
People who have never smoked tobacco cigarettes should not use e-cigarettes | |||||||
Current | 4.6 | 18.9 | 27.7 | 27.0 | 20.2 | 1.6 | p = 0.002 |
Former | 3.5 | 9.1 | 25.3 | 29.8 | 25.8 | 6.6 | p = 0.002 |
18–25 years | 2.1 | 26.6 | 30.9 | 21.3 | 16.0 | 3.2 | p = 0.005 |
26–39 years | 5.7 | 15.1 | 27.4 | 29.7 | 17.9 | 4.2 | |
40+ years | 3.5 | 9.5 | 24.1 | 29.6 | 30.2 | 3.0 | p = 0.005 |
E-cigarettes are useful in helping people quit or reduce smoking | |||||||
Current | 2.0 | 5.5 | 17.9 | 49.5 | 23.8 | 1.3 | |
Former | 3.5 | 6.6 | 23.7 | 43.4 | 15.7 | 7.1 | p = 0.001 |
18–25 years | 1.1 | 3.2 | 23.4 | 46.8 | 22.3 | 3.2 | |
26–39 years | 2.8 | 7.1 | 19.8 | 50.9 | 16.0 | 3.3 | |
40+ years | 3.0 | 6.0 | 19.1 | 43.2 | 24.6 | 4.0 | |
I am concerned by recent media reports of e-cigarettes related illnesses and deaths in the United States of America | |||||||
Current | 9.1 | 14.3 | 8.7 | 32.6 | 12.4 | 2.9 | |
Former | 4.5 | 9.1 | 21.7 | 40.9 | 14.6 | 9.1 | |
18–25 years | 9.6 | 9.6 | 26.6 | 34.0 | 16.0 | 4.3 | |
26–39 years | 5.2 | 13.7 | 26.9 | 35.8 | 12.3 | 6.1 | |
40+ years | 8.5 | 12.1 | 24.6 | 36.7 | 13.1 | 5.0 |
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | Don’t Know | Significance * | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E-cigarettes should be regulated in the same way as traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products | |||||||
Current | 8.5 | 19.2 | 22.1 | 34.5 | 14.3 | 1.3 | |
Former | 4.5 | 13.6 | 31.8 | 31.3 | 13.6 | 5.1 | |
18–25 years | 4.3 | 14.9 | 27.7 | 38.6 | 11.7 | 3.2 | |
26–39 years | 4.7 | 14.2 | 22.6 | 36.8 | 18.9 | 3.3 | |
40+ years | 10.6 | 21.1 | 28.6 | 27.6 | 10.1 | 2.0 | |
The government should allow e-cigarettes to be used in smoke-free areas | |||||||
Current | 7.2 | 22.1 | 27.4 | 29.6 | 12.1 | 1.6 | |
Former | 16.7 | 26.3 | 26.8 | 22.2 | 5.1 | 3.0 | p < 0.001 |
18–25 years | 7.4 | 34.0 | 23.4 | 24.5 | 7.4 | 3.2 | |
26–39 years | 12.7 | 20.8 | 29.2 | 26.9 | 8.5 | 1.9 | |
40+ years | 10.6 | 22.2 | 26.8 | 27.8 | 10.6 | 2.0 | |
E-cigarettes should be banned until there is more evidence that they are safe | |||||||
Current | 15.0 | 26.4 | 30.0 | 16.9 | 8.8 | 2.9 | |
Former | 9.6 | 25.3 | 32.3 | 17.2 | 9.6 | 6.1 | |
18–25 years | 8.5 | 28.7 | 29.8 | 20.2 | 6.4 | 6.4 | |
26–39 years | 10.4 | 24.1 | 33.0 | 18.9 | 11.3 | 2.4 | |
40+ years | 17.6 | 26.6 | 29.1 | 13.6 | 8.0 | 5.0 | |
E-cigarettes should be classified as a drug-based product (like other pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum) | |||||||
Current | 9.1 | 17.3 | 29.3 | 30.0 | 11.1 | 3.3 | |
Former | 7.1 | 16.2 | 29.3 | 33.3 | 9.6 | 4.5 | |
18–25 years | 7.4 | 34.0 | 23.4 | 24.5 | 7.4 | 3.2 | |
26–39 years | 12.7 | 20.8 | 29.2 | 26.9 | 8.5 | 1.9 | |
40+ years | 10.6 | 22.2 | 26.8 | 27.8 | 10.6 | 2.0 | |
I would use a government-approved e-cigarette containing nicotine instead of my current device & juice | |||||||
Current | 6.2 | 7.8 | 26.4 | 38.8 | 17.7 | 3.6 | |
Former | 6.1 | 7.6 | 37.4 | 29.8 | 10.1 | 9.1 | |
18–25 years | 7.4 | 34.0 | 23.4 | 24.5 | 7.4 | 3.2 | |
26–39 years | 12.7 | 20.8 | 29.2 | 26.9 | 8.5 | 1.9 | |
40+ years | 10.6 | 22.2 | 26.8 | 27.8 | 10.6 | 2.0 |
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Larcombe, A.N.; Chivers, E.K.; Huxley, R.R.; Musk, A.W.; Franklin, P.J.; Mullins, B.J. Electronic Cigarette Usage Patterns and Perceptions in Adult Australians. Toxics 2023, 11, 290. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030290
Larcombe AN, Chivers EK, Huxley RR, Musk AW, Franklin PJ, Mullins BJ. Electronic Cigarette Usage Patterns and Perceptions in Adult Australians. Toxics. 2023; 11(3):290. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030290
Chicago/Turabian StyleLarcombe, Alexander N., Emily K. Chivers, Rachel R. Huxley, Arthur (Bill) W. Musk, Peter J. Franklin, and Benjamin J. Mullins. 2023. "Electronic Cigarette Usage Patterns and Perceptions in Adult Australians" Toxics 11, no. 3: 290. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030290