Characteristics of nicotine product use, perceptions of dependence, and passive exposure among first-year university students in Brazil
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess nicotine product use among incoming students at public and private universities in Brazil.
METHODS: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study including a convenience sample of incoming university students (≥ 18 years of age). Current use of conventional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and other nicotine products, as well as indicators of dependence and knowledge of the consequences of active use of or passive exposure to nicotine products were investigated with the use of a 38-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS: A total of 863 students completed the questionnaire. Of those, most (61%) were female, and most (76.6%) identified themselves as White. In addition, most (86%) were in the 18- to 24-year age bracket, and most (88.6%) attended a public university. In the past 30 days, 20.7% reported using electronic cigarettes, 23.2% reported using conventional cigarettes, and more than 50% reported using other nicotine products. More than 80% agreed that electronic cigarettes are harmful to health and are as damaging as other types of smoking. Over half of the respondents reported using the product shortly after waking up, and, paradoxically, 81% stated that they would quit whenever they wanted. Passive exposure was reported by 21.6%, occurring at home (in 33.6%), in other indoor environments (in 41.7%), and in open environments (in 87.5%).
CONCLUSIONS: Experimentation and current use of nicotine products are…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.
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