Knowledge about electronic cigarettes and its perception: a community survey, Egypt

Introduction:
This summary will provide an overview of a community survey conducted in Egypt to assess knowledge, perception, and use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among the population. The study's key findings and main message will be discussed.

Key Points:

* The survey was conducted between March and April 2015, involving 1239 Egyptian participants aged 15-75 years.
* 57.5% of the participants had heard about e-cigarettes, with higher awareness among younger and more educated individuals.
* None of the participants reported using e-cigarettes.
* Among those aware of e-cigarettes, 41.6% believed they help smoking cessation, and 31.9% considered them less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
* The majority of those aware of e-cigarettes gained their knowledge from multiple sources, including friends, mass media, the internet, and others.
* The study found a considerable level of knowledge about e-cigarettes, particularly among young people, and they were perceived as less harmful or a smoking cessation aid.

Main Message:
The survey highlights the importance of understanding the public's awareness and perception of e-cigarettes, particularly in countries with high tobacco use rates like Egypt. Despite no reported use of e-cigarettes among the participants, there is a significant level of knowledge about them. The perception of e-cigarettes as less harmful or a smoking cessation aid necessitates the implementation of effective tobacco control strategies and regulations for e-cigarette advertising and sale until safety data becomes available. Continuous surveillance of emerging use patterns of e-cigarettes among the Egyptian population is also required.

Abo-Elkheir, Omaima I., and Eman Sobh. “Knowledge about Electronic Cigarettes and Its Perception: A Community Survey, Egypt.” Respiratory Research 17, no. 1 (December 2016): 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-016-0365-0.