Readiness to Quit E-Cigarette Use Among Early Working-Age Adults in Health Region 6, Thailand

Abstract

E-cigarette use has increased among early working-age adults, yet evidence on socioeconomic factors associated with its use remains limited, particularly in Health Region 6, Thailand. This cross-sectional study examined the associations of socioeconomic factors with e-cigarette use, perceptions of cessation messages, and readiness to quit. Data were collected from 220 e-cigarette users aged 18–29 years using non-probability and snowball sampling. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and multiple linear regression were performed, with p < 0.05 as the criterion for statistical significance. Most participants were female (60.0%), aged 20–24 years (50.0%), had a monthly income of ≤10,000 baht (72.3%), and reported frequent or regular e-cigarette use (78.2%). Gender was significantly associated with the frequency of e-cigarette use (χ²=6.58, p=0.01, Cramér’s V=0.18). Female participants had lower odds of frequent e-cigarette use than males (Adjusted OR=0.35, 95% CI=0.16–0.76, p=0.01). Perceptions of e-cigarette cessation messages were relatively high overall (Mean=3.82, SD=1.25). After adjustment for all variables, females had significantly higher perception scores than males (b=0.41, 95% CI=0.07–0.74, p=0.02; R²=0.11). Most participants (67.3%) were not considering quitting e-cigarette use, and no socioeconomic factors were significantly associated with readiness to quit (p>0.05). Gender was the only socioeconomic factor associated with both e-cigarette use and perceptions of cessation messages. Future cessation interventions should account for gender differences and incorporate psychological and behavioral factors from the TTM, as well as socioeconomic factors.