Rise in electronic cigarette use among adolescents in Poland

J Adolesc Health. 2014 Nov;55(5):713-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.07.015.

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the potential negative health effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), these devices are increasing in popularity worldwide, especially among youth.

Methods: We compared data from two cross-sectional studies conducted in Poland among students aged 15-19 years in 2010-2011 and 2013-2014. We tested differences between samples in the prevalence of e-cigarette use, tobacco cigarette smoking, and simultaneous use of both tobacco and e-cigarettes ("dual use") using a multilevel linear mixed model regression.

Results: We found that the current use of e-cigarettes among adolescents in Poland was significantly higher in the 2013-2014 sample than the 2010-2011 sample (29.9% vs. 5.5%, respectively; p < .05). Dual use of tobacco and e-cigarettes was also significantly higher (21.8% vs. 3.6%, respectively; p < .05). Interestingly, the prevalence of smoking tobacco cigarettes also increased (from 23.9% in 2010-2011 to 38.0% in 2013-2014; p < .05).

Conclusions: Observed parallel increase in e-cigarette use and smoking prevalence does not support the idea that e-cigarettes are displacing tobacco cigarettes in this population.

Keywords: Adolescents; Electronic cigarettes; Nicotine; Smoking; e-cigarettes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Commerce / statistics & numerical data
  • Electrical Equipment and Supplies / statistics & numerical data
  • Electrical Equipment and Supplies / trends*
  • Female
  • Ganglionic Stimulants / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Minors / statistics & numerical data
  • Nicotine / administration & dosage*
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking / trends*
  • Tobacco Products / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Ganglionic Stimulants
  • Nicotine