Emerging trends and determinants of electronic cigarette use among young Thai men, 2022-2024

Electronic-cigarette (e-cigarette) use is linked to serious cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, raising public health concerns worldwide, particularly among younger populations. In Thailand, there is limited epidemiological data on e-cigarette usage. Therefore, trends in e-cigarette use and its associated factors among young Thai men from 2022 to 2024 were investigated.

A serial cross-sectional study was conducted among young Thai men aged 18-26 years across four geographical regions in Thailand. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire; current e-cigarette use was defined as e-cigarette use on one or more days in the past month. Multivariable log-binomial regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with current e-cigarette use, presented as adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

The analysis involved 9,639 participants, averaging 20.5 years old. From 2022 to 2024, the age-adjusted prevalence of current e-cigarette use increased significantly from 17.2% to 29.3% (p-trend < 0.001). Among those aged 18-20, prevalence rose from 20.1% to 33.6% (p-trend < 0.001), while in the 21-26 age group, it increased from 14.8% to 25.6% (p-trend < 0.001). A rising trend in e-cigarette use over a three-year study period was observed, regardless of their tobacco use status. Higher prevalence was noted in men aged 18-20 compared to those aged 21-26 (aPR 1.30; 95% CI: 1.19-1.43). Men in the central region exhibited the highest prevalence. Compared to agriculturists, individuals in other occupations showed higher current e-cigarette use. Those with no formal education had a higher prevalence than graduates (aPR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.04-2.47). Lifestyle factors significantly associated with current e-cigarette use included being a current smoker (aPR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.72-2.07), a current drinker (aPR 2.59; 95% CI: 2.15-3.12), and a night worker (aPR 1.26; 95% CI: 1.13-1.40).

Emerging trends in e-cigarette use among young Thai men from 2022 to 2024 were identified regardless of the status of tobacco use. Significant sociodemographic and lifestyle factors influencing this behavior were highlighted. These findings can guide policymakers in prioritizing targeted interventions to reduce e-cigarette use and mitigate associated cardiopulmonary complications within this demographic.