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Published on: August 25, 2018
E-cigarette use among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sultan Alhabdan1, Abdalkareem Alashjaai1, Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi2
1Ad Diriyah Hospital, Third Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Internal and Emergency Medicine
|May 16, 2026
Summary
E-cigarette use is common among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly younger, more deprived individuals with a history of smoking. Further research is needed to understand the respiratory health implications.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is significantly associated with tobacco smoking, making smoking cessation a critical management strategy.
- E-cigarettes are promoted as a harm reduction tool in the UK, but their usage patterns in COPD patients are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with current e-cigarette use among individuals diagnosed with COPD in Scotland.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2018-2022 Scottish Health Survey, including 891 adults with a COPD diagnosis.
- Employed survey-weighted logistic regression to analyze associations between sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics and e-cigarette use, with stratification by smoking status and intensity.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of current e-cigarette use was 11.9% (95% CI 9.7-14.5).
- Older age was linked to lower odds of use, while socioeconomic deprivation showed a positive association.
- Current smokers (aOR 14.86) and ex-smokers (aOR 10.80) had significantly higher odds of e-cigarette use compared to never-smokers. Younger age, female sex, and higher deprivation were associated with use among current smokers.
- Light and moderate smokers showed increased odds of e-cigarette use compared to non-smokers, but heavy smokers did not differ.
Conclusions:
- E-cigarette use is relatively common in the COPD population, concentrated among younger, more deprived individuals with a smoking history.
- Smoking status is a key determinant of e-cigarette use in COPD patients.
- Longitudinal studies are essential to elucidate the impact of e-cigarette use on respiratory outcomes in individuals with COPD.
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