Electronic cigarettes and narghile users in Brazil: Do they differ from cigarettes smokers?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Tobacco Control

Background:

• Cigarette smoking prevalence is declining, but novel tobacco products like electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and narghile are emerging.
• Narghile sales are legal in Brazil, while e-cigarette sales are prohibited, necessitating accurate prevalence data for monitoring.
• Understanding the use of these alternative tobacco products is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of e-cigarette and narghile use in Brazil.
• To investigate sociodemographic differences between users of e-cigarettes, narghile, and manufactured cigarettes.
• To identify risk factors associated with the use of these tobacco products.

Main Methods:

• A nationally representative survey of Brazilians aged 12-65 years was conducted in 2015.
• Prevalence rates were estimated for e-cigarettes, narghile, and manufactured cigarettes within the past 12 months.
• Multivariable logistic regression models analyzed determinants of use, accounting for complex sample design and stratifying by various sociodemographic factors.

Main Results:

• Prevalence rates were 0.43% for e-cigarettes (0.6 million users), 1.65% for narghile (2.5 million users), and 15.35% for cigarettes (23.5 million users).
• Non-heterosexual individuals showed higher risk for all tobacco product use. E-cigarette/narghile users were younger and had higher socioeconomic status than cigarette users.
• Youthful recent cigarette use was more associated with e-cigarette/narghile use compared to adults.

Conclusions:

• Findings provide critical data on e-cigarette and narghile use patterns in Brazil.
• Integrated prevention strategies targeting youth for both narghile and e-cigarette use are recommended.
• These combined strategies may help prevent a new generation of tobacco users in Brazil.