Electronic Cigarettes in Thailand: Behaviour, Rationale, Satisfaction, and Sex Differences^†

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use is trending in Thailand. Electronic cigarettes are banned and illegally imported. This study aimed to investigate the behaviour, rationale, and satisfaction of e-cigarettes users and compared them between males and females. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1050 participants using e-cigarettes from December 2019 to February 2020. The participants were recruited by an online questionnaire posted on social media. The participants were current e-cigarettes users aged 18 years and older. Of 1050 participants, 936 were male (89.1%). The average age was 31.2 ± 8.4 years. The participants were from all regions of the country, but most (64.5%) were from central Thailand. Most e-cigarettes users comprised private employees (43.2%). The main source of e-cigarettes in Thailand is online sources such as social media. Tank-style e-cigarettes were popular among users. Amongst e-cigarettes users, the top three rationales for using e-cigarettes were fewer harmful effects from e-cigarettes than conventional cigarettes (81.0%), smoking cessation aids (80.6%), and their lack of attaching cigarette odour (58.2%). The top three reasons for satisfaction were using e-cigarettes as a conventional cigarette cessation aid (5.1 ± 1.3), lessening cravings for conventional cigarettes (5.1 ± 1.3), and reducing conventional cigarettes withdrawal symptoms (5.0 ± 1.3). Online purchase was the main source of e-cigarettes in Thailand. The general rationale for using electronic cigarettes was that they are less harmful and to quit conventional cigarettes. Thai users were satisfied to use e-cigarettes as a conventional cigarette cessation aid. Males and females differed in behaviour, rationale, and satisfaction of e-cigarettes. Public health organisations should provide accurate information about the harm of electronic cigarettes and their efficacy for tobacco cessation.