PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - AlHumaidan, Norah I.
AU  - AlZelfawi, Lama A.
AU  - AlHindawi, Zeena A.
AU  - AlDosari, Lena M.
AU  - AlTowaijri, Aljoharah M.
AU  - AlFaisal, Njoud F.
TI  - Prevalence, perception, and attitude regarding electronic cigarettes usage among young adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. <em>A cross-sectional study</em>
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2024.45.8.20240359
DP  - 2024 Aug 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 857--861
VI  - 45
IP  - 8
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/8/857.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/45/8/857.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2024 Aug 01; 45
AB  - Objectives: To determine the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage among young adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; their perceptions of its harm and legal age, and the reasons and factors influencing their use.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out within the general community of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between December 2023 and April 2024. Participants aged 18-25 years were included. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to gather demographic data, perceptions, and attitudes toward e-cigarettes and reasons for their use.Results: The majority of the 476 participants were female (n=378, 79.4%) and Saudi nationals (n=451, 94.7%). Current e-cigarette usage was 10.5% (n=50), being more prevalent among males (n=46, 46.9%) and non-Saudis (n=12, 48%). Respondents living alone (n=11, 34.4%) or with friends (n=4, 80%), those who perceived e-cigarettes as safer than cigarettes (n=38, 42.2%), or were unsure of age restrictions demonstrated high usage. Key motivators included flavors available, stress relief, and curiosity.Conclusion: Eelectronic cigarette use among Riyadh’s youth was remarkable, especially among males. Reducing the e-cigarette usage prevalence in Saudi Arabia should be prioritized.