Characteristics of e-cigarette users and their perceptions of the benefits, harms and risks of e-cigarette use: survey results froma convenience sample in Ottawa, Canada

Introduction:
This article presents the results of a survey conducted in Ottawa, Canada, to describe the characteristics of e-cigarette users and their perceptions of the benefits, harms, and risks of e-cigarettes. The survey also aimed to collect information on why, how, and where e-cigarettes are used, as well as side effects experienced by users.

Key Points:

* The survey was conducted using a 24-item online questionnaire distributed to individuals who purchased e-cigarettes or e-cigarette-related supplies at one of Ottawa's 17 e-cigarette shops.
* The survey received ethics approval from Carleton University Research Ethics Board.
* The survey had 242 respondents, with a mean age of 38.1 years and 66% being male.
* Nearly all respondents had smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime, with more than 80% indicating that quitting smoking was a very important reason for starting to use e-cigarettes.
* About 40% of respondents reported experiencing side effects within 2 hours of using e-cigarettes, with those who did not report any side effects having approximately 3.2 times higher odds of perceiving e-cigarettes as harmless.
* Most respondents used e-cigarettes to reduce or stop smoking cigarettes and perceived them as harmless.
* Due to the use of convenience sampling, the reader should be cautious in generalizing the findings to all Canadian e-cigarette users.

Main Message:
The study provides valuable insights into the characteristics and perceptions of e-cigarette users in Ottawa, Canada. The findings suggest that most e-cigarette users are using them to reduce or stop smoking cigarettes and perceive them as harmless. However, a significant proportion of users reported experiencing side effects, indicating a need for further research to better understand the potential risks and benefits of e-cigarette use. The study also highlights the importance of considering local jurisdictions in implementing policies on smoking and e-cigarette use.

Volesky, K. D., A. Maki, C. Scherf, L. M. Watson, E. Cassol, and P. J. Villeneuve. “Characteristics of E-Cigarette Users and Their Perceptions of the Benefits, Harms and Risks of e-Cigarette Use: Survey Results Froma Convenience Sample in Ottawa, Canada.” Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada 36, no. 7 (July 2016): 130–38. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.36.7.02.