Knowledge and attitudes of young adults regarding conventional and electronic cigarette use: Implications for health education and preventive programs

Abstract

Smoking remains one of the major public health challenges of modern society and significant risk factor for the development of numerous chronic non-communicable diseases. Particular concern is increasing use of electronic cigarettes among young adults, which is often promoted as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. Such trends highlight the need for continuous preventive measures and health education, as well as for assessing young people's knowledge and attitudes regarding the risks associated with use of these products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding conventional and electronic cigarette use among young adults. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an original questionnaire distributed via the Google platform. A total of 139 participants (123 females and 16 males), aged 19 to 25 years, participated in the study. All participants were familiar with e-cigarettes, with 67% reporting social media and friends as their main sources of information and 33% the university/school. The majority of participants (93%) considered that e-cigarettes are not less harmful than conventional cigarettes, while 84% believed that they can cause addiction. At the same time, 23% considered that use of e-cigarettes reduces passive smoking, 17% believed them useful for smoking cessation, and 24% were uncertain about their role in quitting smoking. The findings indicate the presence of certain misconceptions and uncertainties regarding electronic cigarette use among young adults, emphasizing the need for continuous education and implementation of preventive programs aimed at improving knowledge and shaping appropriate attitudes toward their health risks.