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Use of and Beliefs toward Novel Tobacco and Nicotine Products among Portuguese University Students: A Pandemic Survey

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  • Marina Vaz

    (FCS-UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro Cascais

    (FCS-UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
    CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Olga Lourenço

    (FCS-UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
    CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal)

Abstract

Over the last decade, novel tobacco and nicotine product experimentation and use have dramatically increased among the youth, even in countries with strong tobacco control and anti-smoking social norms. We performed an online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study in March-June 2021, targeting students from the University of Beira Interior, Portugal. The aim was to assess the experimentation and use of tobacco and nicotine products and students’ beliefs towards these products. Of the 452 participants, 67.0% were female; the mean age was 21.9 ± 3 years. Most students (60.4%) reported experimenting with tobacco/nicotine products; 31.2% were current users; polyconsumption was common. Of the current users, all used cigarettes, 41.1% used heated tobacco, 20.6% e-cigarettes, and 14.9% used water pipes. Our multivariate analysis showed that being male, being in the third year of study, and cohabiting or socializing with smokers were strongly associated with tobacco/nicotine use. While most students agree that heated tobacco and e-cigarettes are addictive, that they are not less harmful than cigarettes, and that second-hand exposure may cause health problems, few tobacco/nicotine users are ready to quit, and few students support a smoke-free university campus. These findings indicate high experimentation and the regular dual use of novel tobacco and nicotine products and suggest a pro-smoking social norm among university students.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Vaz & Pedro Cascais & Olga Lourenço, 2024. "Use of and Beliefs toward Novel Tobacco and Nicotine Products among Portuguese University Students: A Pandemic Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-19, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:478-:d:1375554
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aleksandra Ratajczak & Piotr Jankowski & Piotr Strus & Wojciech Feleszko, 2020. "Heat Not Burn Tobacco Product—A New Global Trend: Impact of Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Products on Public Health, a Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Ewa Rodakowska & Marta Mazur & Joanna Baginska & Teresa Sierpinska & Giuseppe La Torre & Livia Ottolenghi & Valeria D'Egidio & Fabrizio Guerra, 2020. "Smoking Prevalence, Attitudes and Behavior among Dental Students in Poland and Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-12, October.
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