Sociodemographic differences in awareness of e-cigarette in Malaysia

• Published in: Journal of oncological science Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 54 - 59
• Main Authors: Cheah, Yong Kang, Teh, Chien Huey, Lim, Hock Kuang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2019; Turkiye Klinikleri
• Subjects: Awareness; E-cigarette; Education; Ethnicity; Smoking; Ethnicity; Education; Awareness; E-cigarette; Smoking
• ISSN: 2452-3364; 2452-3364
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jons.2019.04.001

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) plays an important role in preventing smoking-induced diseases. However, the majority of people are not aware of e-cigarette. The present study attempts to characterise awareness of e-cigarette in the overall Malaysian population and to explore its associated factors. The data is obtained from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). The survey consists of a large sample size (n = 4176). In order to examine sociodemographic differences in the likelihood of being aware of e-cigarette, multivariable logistic regressions stratified by ethnic groups are used. Age, gender, education, ethnicity and cigarette smoking are independently associated with awareness of e-cigarette. Older individuals display a lower likelihood of being aware of e-cigarette than younger individuals (aOR: 0.977). Males are more likely to be aware of e-cigarette than females (aOR: 2.537). A lower likelihood of being aware of e-cigarette is reported by individuals with primary-level (aOR: 0.173) and secondary-level education (aOR: 0.389). Awareness of e-cigarette is higher among smokers (aOR: 1.438). Considering the sociodemographic variations in awareness of e-cigarette, policy makers should develop an intervention measure in efforts to provide people with more information on e-cigarette with a focus on those who likely to be unaware of e-cigarette. •The present study examines the sociodemographic determinants of awareness of e-cigarette.•Age, gender, education, ethnicity and cigarette smoking are significantly associated with awareness of e-cigarette.•Older individuals are less likely to be aware of e-cigarettes than younger individuals.•Males are more likely to be aware of e-cigarettes compared with females.•Less-educated individuals have a lower likelihood of being aware of e-cigarettes than well-educated individuals.