Factors related to the use of electronic cigarettes among university students in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to study the behavior of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and the factors associated with e-cigarette smoking behavior among university students. The sample consisted of 384 students from a university in Nakhon Ratchasima province, selected through accidental random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire with a reliability score of 0.93. Descriptive data were analyzed using mean, percentage, maximum, and minimum values, while factors related to e-cigarette smoking were analyzed using the Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact test at a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that the majority of the participants were male (57.6%) and 19 years old, with most of them being first-year students (28.4%). A large proportion (58.6%) had a monthly income between 5,001-10,000 Baht, and 74.7% lived in dormitories. Most participants reported that their family members did not smoke (68.8%), 65.4% had never smoked traditional cigarettes, and 51.8% had never used e-cigarettes. Regarding knowledge about e-cigarettes, the majority (94.5%) knew that e-cigarettes are addictive and harmful to health (76.3%). Overall, 48.7% of the participants had a high level of knowledge about e-cigarettes. In terms of attitudes toward e-cigarettes, 87.8% believed that money spent on e-cigarettes should be saved, and a significant percentage believed that e-cigarette smoking is dangerous (78.6%). Overall, 52.6% of the participants had a high level of attitude toward e-cigarettes. Regarding e-cigarette-related behavior, 78.6% had never smoked or purchased e-cigarettes online, and overall, 70% demonstrated good e-cigarette-related behavior. The analysis revealed that gender, age, education level (year of study), monthly income, family smoking history, and traditional cigarette smoking history were significantly associated with e-cigarette smoking behavior (p-value < 0.05). Additionally, knowledge about e-cigarettes was significantly related to e-cigarette smoking behavior (p-value < 0.05), indicating that knowledge alone is insufficient. Therefore, the university should strengthen proactive campaigns focusing on preventing e-cigarette use among students, emphasizing financial management education and good spending habits, with support from family members, psychologists, and health professionals. Additionally, creating a safe and health-promoting environment on campus, such as establishing a smoke-free university, is recommended.