Factors associated With E-Cigarette Usage and the Reasons for Initiation among Malaysian adolescents.

Introduction:
This article presents the findings of a nationwide cross-sectional survey (TECMa) conducted in Malaysia to examine factors associated with e-cigarette usage and reasons for its initiation among adolescents. The study's objective is to provide insights into the prevalence and patterns of e-cigarette use among Malaysian adolescents, which can inform regulatory measures and public health interventions.

Key Points:

* The study found that 9.1% of adolescents had used e-cigarettes in the past month.
* Males, 16 to 19-year-olds, Malays, Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputeras, and cigarette smokers were more likely to use e-cigarettes.
* The top three reasons for e-cigarette initiation among adolescents were its taste and smell, experimentation, and popularity.
* There is evidence suggesting that e-cigarette usage can progress to conventional cigarette smoking.
* The sale of e-cigarettes with or without nicotine to people aged younger than 18 years should be banned.
* Flavored e-cigarettes and related advertisements should also be banned since there is evidence suggesting increased appeal among the younger generation.
* Education and awareness campaigns should target students, parents, and school authorities to prevent e-cigarette use and its progression to conventional cigarette smoking.

Main Message:
The study highlights the urgent need for regulatory measures to prevent e-cigarette use among adolescents in Malaysia. The sale of e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, should be banned for people aged younger than 18 years. Moreover, flavored e-cigarettes and related advertisements should be banned due to their increased appeal among the younger generation. Public health interventions, such as education and awareness campaigns, should target students, parents, and school authorities to prevent e-cigarette use and its progression to conventional cigarette smoking. The study's findings can inform policymakers and public health practitioners in Malaysia and other countries with similar demographic and cultural contexts to design effective regulatory measures and public health interventions to address the growing trend of e-cigarette use among adolescents.

Robert Lourdes TG, abd hamid ha, Mohd Yusoff MF, et al. Factors associated With E-Cigarette Usage and the Reasons for Initiation among Malaysian adolescents. asia-Pacific journal of public health. 2019;31(7_suppl):44S-52S. doi:10.1177/1010539519870663