Perception and Attitude towards Electronic Cigarettes among Rural Thai Young Adults

Niwat  Songsin; Prakasit  Wannapaschaiyong; Pastsawut  Loylib; Warodom  Dampueak; Wanwimon Mekwimon Kingkaew; Sureewan  Siladlao; Kanokporn  Somporn

doi:10.33192/smj.v76i9.269105

Authors

Niwat Songsin Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Prakasit Wannapaschaiyong Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Pastsawut Loylib Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
Warodom Dampueak Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
Wanwimon Mekwimon Kingkaew Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
Sureewan Siladlao Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.
Kanokporn Somporn Department of Community Public Health, College of Allied Health Sciences, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok 10300, Thailand.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v76i9.269105

Keywords:

Perception, Attitude, Young adults, Electronic cigarette

Abstract

Objective: This study examined perceptions and attitudes toward electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among young adults aged 15-20 years in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand, and their relationship.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between July and October 2023. The study included 328 young adults aged 15-20 selected from an educational institution in Samut Songkhram Province using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results: The participants had a good level of knowledge about e-cigarettes. They exhibited a positive attitude towards electronic cigarettes regarding health aspects (M=3.05, SD=0.97) and a positive attitude towards the legal dimensions of e-cigarettes (M=3.12, SD=0.80). However, no statistically significant correlation was found between the perception of e-cigarettes and health-related attitudes toward them (r=0.013, p=0.820). On the other hand, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the perception of e-cigarettes and legally oriented attitudes (r=0.192, p<0.001). Furthermore, a borderline positive correlation emerged between the perception of electronic cigarettes and the general attitudes toward them (r=0.102, p=0.065).

Conclusion: Young adults in rural Thailand have a good knowledge of e-cigarettes. However, they exhibit positive attitudes towards the health aspects and legal dimensions of e-cigarettes. Moreover, no significant relationship exists between perceptions and health-related attitudes. These insights emphasize the need for targeted strategies to address misperceptions and raise awareness about the health risks of e-cigarette use among rural youth.

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