AUTHOR=Yan Ruilin , Liu Yanhong , Huang Li , Li Yanrou , Huang Yun , Tong Jing , Deng Yongzheng , Yuan Qing 

TITLE=Susceptibility to e-cigarette adoption among tobacco-naïve youths: a cross-sectional study in Shenzhen, China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1320863

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1320863

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Background: The rise in e-cigarette use among youth is a significant global public health issue. It's important to identify those at increased risk and and implement effective strategies to reduce e-cigarette popularity among the youth.
Objective: This study aims to identify predictors of e-cigarette uptake in youths with no prior tobacco use, considering individual, familial and the broader societal environmental factors. 
Methods: For this investigation, a group of 2,487 tobacco-free youths was selected from 15 high schools in Shenzhen, China. Susceptibility to e-cigarettes was determined by assessing the possibility of future use and the openness to trying e-cigarettes if presented by friends. Both chi-square tests and logistic regression were applied to identify factors linked to susceptibility to e-cigarette use.
Results: Among the respondents, 5.5% (n=136) were found to be susceptible to e-cigarette use. The analysis revealed factors tied to this risk: perceptions of e-cigarettes, the impact of vaping peers, paternal parenting styles, the extent of social support, exposure to messages both for and against e-cigarettes use, and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. Youths who downplayed the addictive nature of e-cigarettes (aOR=2.01; 95% CI: 1.14-3.55; p=0.016), those with friends who engaged in vaping (aOR=3.43-7.64; 95%CI: 2.36-20.42; p<0.001), those experiencing over-protective or rejective maternal parenting (aOR=1.68-3.01; 95%CI: 1.11-5.77; p=0.001-0.014) or rejective paternal parenting (aOR=3.63; 95%CI: 1.99-6.59; p<0.001), those aware of e-cigarette advertisements (aOR=1.82; 95%CI: 1.28-2.60; p=0.001), and those exposed to SHS at home (aOR=1.68; 95%CI: 1.17-2.41; p=0.005) or at public places (aOR=1.72-1.79; 95%CI: 1.21-2.57; p=0.002-0.003) were more prone to e-cigarettes. In contrast, youths who believed using e-cigarettes reduces one's attractiveness (aOR=0.34; 95%CI: 0.16-0.72; p=0.005) or perceived that vaping made social interactions less enjoyable (aOR=0.26; 95%CI: 0.12-0.58; p=0.001), those who benefited from high social support (aOR=0.30-0.60; 95%CI: 0.17-0.97; p<0.001), and those who noticed message about e-cigarettes' adverse consequence (aOR=0.54; 95%CI: 0.38-0.77; p=0.001) were less likely to be inclined towards e-cigarette use.
Conclusions: The propensity of the youth to e-cigarette usage is shaped by a multiple
elements. An all-encompassing strategy that addresses the individual, familial, and the broader societal aspects is imperative for the effective prevention of e-cigarette initiation among youth.