Awareness, use and perceptions about E-cigarettes among adult smokers in Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:
This text provides an overview of a study examining the awareness and use of e-cigarettes among adult smokers in Karachi, Pakistan. The study also explores the association of socio-demographic factors and past smoking history with e-cigarette use and the perceptions of the respondents about e-cigarettes.

Key Points:

* A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary care hospital and three shopping malls in Karachi, Pakistan.
* The sample size was 387, and the study included individuals who were above 18 years of age and had smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.
* The study found that 64.3% of the respondents were aware of e-cigarettes, and 10.1% had used them.
* The majority of the participants had heard about e-cigarettes from their friends (63.90%). Only 6.80% had heard about them from health-care professionals.
* Professionals, semi-professionals, and participants with higher education and a larger family income were more likely to have heard about e-cigarettes.
* Participants who smoked daily were more likely to want to use e-cigarettes.
* The study showed that the general population is largely unaware of the side effects that e-cigarettes usage can potentially have.

Main Message:
The study highlights the need for further research into the beneficial effects of e-cigarettes, as the safety and long-term hazards have not yet been established. The study also emphasizes the importance of doctors counseling their patients about the harmful effects of smoking and advising them to quit by conscientiously detailing all the available methods and alternatives, including e-cigarettes. The results suggest that e-cigarettes could be a useful aid to reduce smoking habits, and healthcare professionals should be aware of their patients' perceptions and use of e-cigarettes to provide appropriate advice and guidelines.

Sarfraz, Maryam, Hamza Abdur Rahim Khan, Amna Urooba, Zainab Manan, Omar Irfan, Ramlah Nadeem, Huma Baqir, et al. “Awareness, Use and Perceptions about E-Cigarettes among Adult Smokers in Karachi, Pakistan.” J Pak Med Assoc 68, no. 1 (2018).