E-Smoking among Students of Medicine—Frequency, Pattern and Motivations

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study examining the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among students of medicine in Poland. The study aims to determine the prevalence of e-cigarette and tobacco cigarette use, compare the patterns of smoking, and assess the attitudes and motivations behind e-cigarette use. The study is based on a questionnaire completed by 1,318 medical students.

Key Points:

* The study found that 4.9% of male students and 2.8% of female students use e-cigarettes.
* Dual smokers (students who use both e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes) made up 2.2% of the total number of students.
* E-cigarette users had a shorter duration of smoking but a larger intensity of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked daily.
* Dual smokers used tobacco cigarettes more frequently but smoked more e-cigarettes daily.
* The choice of e-liquid depended on the flavor, nicotine concentration, and price.
* The most common motivations behind e-cigarette use were quitting tobacco, less harmful impact on health, and price.
* A majority of students considered e-cigarettes to be harmful and addictive.

Main Message:
The study found that e-cigarette use is less popular than tobacco cigarette use among students of medicine in Poland. However, e-cigarette users had a larger intensity of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked daily, suggesting a potential for addiction. The study also found that dual smokers used more e-cigarettes daily, indicating a possible overlap between e-cigarette and tobacco cigarette use. The study's findings highlight the need for proper health policy measures to address the growing use of e-cigarettes as a public health concern.

Brożek, Grzegorz, Mateusz Jankowski, Jan Zejda, Agnieszka Jarosińska, Agnieszka Idzik, and Piotr Bańka. “E-Smoking among Students of Medicine—Frequency, Pattern and Motivations.” Advances in Respiratory Medicine 85, no. 1 (February 13, 2017): 8–14. https://doi.org/10.5603/ARM.2017.0003.