Risk Factors and Perceptions of E-Cigarette Use Among Selected Users in Johannesburg, South Africa
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Risk Factors and Perceptions of E‑Cigarette Use Among Selected Users in Johannesburg, South Africa Mageshree Naidoo1 · Thokozani P. Mbonane1 · Angela Mathee1,2,3 Accepted: 1 November 2020 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract There is little scientific knowledge about e-cigarette use in South Africa. This study aimed to describe the risk factors and perceptions of selected Johannesburg-based users of e-cigarettes. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a convenient sample of 188 participants, of which 160 were males and 28 females. The survey results showed that participants used e-cigarettes at home (n = 28/ 14.8%), work (n = 76/ 40.4%), tertiary institutions (n = 50/ 26.5%) and in their vehicles (n = 24/ 12.7%), while (n = 96/ 51%) used the product in the presence of children. 57 participants (30.3%) started using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation strategy, while 46 (24.4%) used it to manage smoking cravings. Most participants believed that e-cigarettes are addictive (n = 156/ 82.9%) and unhealthy (n = 139/ 73.9%). This study highlights the need and opportunity to improve public health action in the prevention and management of risks posed by e-cigarette products to users and non-users. Keywords e-cigarettes · Behaviour · Risk factors · Perceptions · Use · Health effects and environmental health
Introduction The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has rapidly increased on a global scale in recent years [1], in both highincome and low- or middle-income countries [2, 3]. E-cigarettes are battery-operated vaporizing devices, which may have the appearance of a cigarette, and is used to deliver nicotine vapour to users [4]. The devices are designed to replicate smoking behaviour without the use of tobacco [5]. E-cigarette devices have been promoted as safer and less addictive relative to cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products. This has created a perception among conventional smokers that e-cigarettes are ideal for smoking cessation [6]. However, there is limited scientific evidence of the health effects of e-cigarettes compared to conventional cigarettes * Thokozani P. Mbonane [email protected] 1
Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
2
Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
[7, 8]. According to Jonkawski and colleagues, e-cigarettes as nicotine delivery devices may be more addictive than conventional smoking products [9]. Short term exposure to a low or high dose of e-cigarette by-products has been associated with headaches, upper respiratory tract irritation, eye irritation, nausea, allergic reaction, dizziness and vomiting [7]. There is limited evidence at this stage of the health effects of long-term use or exposure, including second-hand exposure, to e-c
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