Prevalence and Factors Associated with E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products Use among Vietnamese Adolescents

This study aims to examine the situation and factors associated with e-cigarette and heated tobacco products (HTPs) use among Vietnamese adolescents. We used data on e-cigarette use among youth in Vietnam from the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), which is a school-based cross-sectional survey of secondary and high school students aged 13-15. Weighted prevalences of e-cigarette and HTP use were calculated. Factors associated with e-cigarette and HTP use were examined using multivariable logistic regressions. A total of 3,873 students aged 13 to 15 were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of ever use of e-cigarettes and HTPs was 7.8% and 1.5%, while the prevalence of current use was 3.5% for e-cigarettes and 0.6% for HTPs. Peer influence was associated with ever (aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.78-3.31) and current e-cigarette use (aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.16-2.97). Advertisement exposure was linked to ever (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.36-2.63) and current e-cigarette use (aOR 2.50, 95% CI 1.59-3.93), and ever HTP use (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.18-3.38). Current conventional cigarette use showed the strongest associations, with higher odds of ever e-cigarette (AOR 9.56, 95% CI 4.75-19.27), ever HTP (aOR 14.02, 95% CI 5.63-34.93), current e-cigarette (aOR 12.55, 95% CI 6.88-22.87), and current HTP use (aOR 12.35, 95% CI 2.33-65.38). This study highlights the rising prevalence of e-cigarette and HTP use among Vietnamese adolescents. Dual use of conventional cigarettes and these alternative tobacco products is strongly associated, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.