Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the 2020 ITC Malaysia Survey, which examines the reasons for using e-cigarettes (ECs) and support for EC regulations among adult cigarette smokers in Malaysia. The survey results highlight the demographic characteristics of EC users and their reasons for using ECs, as well as their support for various EC regulations. The findings have important implications for developing evidence-based EC regulations in Malaysia.
Key Points:
* The study sample consisted of 1047 current, adult cigarette smokers who smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and who currently smoked at least once a month.
* Of the 1047 smokers, 43.8% (n=459) used ECs in addition to combustible cigarettes. Of these, 46.2% (n=212) were daily users, 38.6% (n=177) were weekly users, and 15.3% (n=70) were monthly users.
* The most common reasons for using ECs among daily users were to cut down the number of cigarettes smoked (91.3%), the pleasant taste of ECs (90.1%), to help them stop smoking (87.9%), and for enjoyment (87.5%).
* Weekly and monthly users indicated pleasant taste, curiosity, being offered ECs by someone, and to cut down on cigarettes smoked as their reasons for using ECs.
* Most smokers supported regulations requiring a minimum purchasing age (daily 87.4%, weekly 91.8%, monthly 82.8%) and limiting nicotine content in ECs (daily 79.0%, weekly 80.6%, monthly 78.8%).
* The least supported regulation was banning fruit or candy flavors in ECs (daily 23.4%, weekly 31.8%, monthly 26.2%).
* The study sample may be over-represented by younger, urban Malaysians who are more technologically knowledgeable than older, rural Malaysians.
Main Message:
The study findings highlight the importance of understanding the reasons for using ECs and the level of support for EC regulations among Malaysian cigarette smokers who vape. The study results suggest that regulations requiring a minimum purchasing age and limiting nicotine content in ECs are likely to receive high levels of support. however, banning fruit or candy flavors in ECs is likely to be less popular. These findings can inform the development of evidence-based EC regulations in Malaysia and other countries. however, more research is needed to better understand how EC flavors influence EC use and how regulations can be designed to minimize the potential harms associated with EC use.
Citation
hairi FM, Goh KT, Driezen P, et al. Reasons for using e-cigarettes and support for e-cigarette regulations: Findings from the 2020 ITC Malaysia Survey. Tobacco induced diseases. 2022;20:33. doi:10.18332/tid/146364
