Familiarity, perception, and reasons for electronic‑cigarette experimentation among the general public in Malaysia: Preliminary insight
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the general public views and familiarity toward electronic cigarette (e‑cigarette) in Kuantan, Malaysia. Methodology: A total of 277 Kuantan people were involved in this study. The questionnaire was distributed at random in shops, businesses,...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English English English |
| Published: |
Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd
2016
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/53144/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/53144/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/53144/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/53144/1/53144_Familiarity%2C%20perception_original%20text.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/53144/3/53144_Familiarity%2C%20perception_for%20myra.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/53144/4/53144_Familiarity%2C%20perception_WOS.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/53144/5/53144_Familiarity%2C%20perception_SCOPUS.pdf |
| Summary: | Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the general public views and familiarity toward
electronic cigarette (e‑cigarette) in Kuantan, Malaysia. Methodology: A total of 277 Kuantan people were
involved in this study. The questionnaire was distributed at random in shops, businesses, and public places in
Kuantan. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 17.0). Results: From 400 participants, a total
number of 277 (160, 57.7% men and 117, 42.4% women) respondents completed the questionnaire. The mean
age was 26.89 ± 9.8 years old. The majority of the study participants were male (57.7%), Malay (83.8%),
Muslims (83.8%), singles (69%), and employed (75.8%), with about 83 (29.9%) of the respondents were
smokers. The prevalence of e‑cigarettes smokers was found to be only 1.4% (n = 4). About one‑third of
the respondents (n = 72, 26%) have tried e‑cigarette before. Job status was significantly associated with
smoking e‑cigarette among the population (P = 0.02). Main factors for a person to start e‑cigarette smoking
were curiosity (37.5%) and cheaper price (40.8%). Majority of respondents agreed that e‑cigarette would not
affect health as normal cigarette, and that variety of flavors contribute to better enjoyment (51.6% and 66.7%,
respectively). Conclusion: The results of the current study demonstrate that the prevalence of e‑cigarettes
smoking and its popularity, familiarity, and knowledge are still insufficient among Kuantan population. Further
studies should be done to tackle this problem before it getting worse. |
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