Electronic Cigarettes in Thailand: Behaviour, Rationale, Satisfaction, and Sex Differences

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Tobacco Control

Background:

• Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing in Thailand, despite being banned and illegally imported.
• Understanding user behavior, motivations, and satisfaction is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavior, rationale, and satisfaction of e-cigarette users in Thailand.
• To compare these factors between male and female users.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1050 adult e-cigarette users was conducted via an online questionnaire.
• Data was collected from December 2019 to February 2020, with participants recruited through social media.

Main Results:

• The majority of participants (89.1%) were male, with an average age of 31.2 years.
• Key rationales for use included perceived lower harm than conventional cigarettes (81.0%) and smoking cessation aid (80.6%).
• Users reported high satisfaction with e-cigarettes for aiding conventional cigarette cessation, reducing cravings, and withdrawal symptoms.

Conclusions:

• E-cigarette use in Thailand is driven by perceptions of reduced harm and cessation benefits, with online channels being the primary source.
• Significant differences exist in e-cigarette use patterns between males and females.
• Public health organizations must disseminate accurate information on e-cigarette risks and cessation efficacy.