Prevalence and Correlates of Disposable E-Cigarette Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Southern Poland

Introduction: In recent years, electronic cigarettes, including disposable e-cigarettes and tobacco heating devices, have grown in popularity, especially among young people and young adults. Although e-cigarettes are touted as a “safer” alternative to traditional cigarettes, a growing body of evidence indicates that vaping can cause serious health problems, especially in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of disposable e-cigarettes and other nicotine products among adolescents and young adults, as well as to examine the factors associated with regular smoking and nicotine dependence across individual nicotine-containing products. Material and Methods: The survey was conducted among residents of southern Poland. A total of 625 (100%) people were examined. Among them were: 350 women and 275 men. The subjects were aged between 14 and 29 years (Median and 25th–75th percentile: 19; 16–23). The study used an original questionnaire, the completion of which was anonymous and voluntary. The questions included in the survey concerned the smoking status of the respondents, the main sources of nicotine intake and general information such as age, gender, place of residence, employment or education, and financial stability of the family. The survey used the Fagerström test to examine the degree of nicotine dependence among the subjects. Results: A total of 34% (212; 33.92%) of the surveyed group of adolescents and young adults were smokers, most of whom used disposable e-cigarettes (69; 32.55%). In addition, 60% (368; 58.88%) of respondents reported having tried disposable e-cigarettes. Smokers, of both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, accounted for 14% (88; 14.08%) of the study group. The results of the study showed a statistically significant effect of the age of the participants on the method of nicotine intake (p = 0.013). In the younger group, e-cigarettes were more often used, while in the older group, the use of heated tobacco products and traditional cigarettes dominated. Respondents’ median age at the first use of nicotine products was 16 years. Factors such as living in the city, lower financial stability, and having a parent who smoked during childhood were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of regular nicotine product use. Among the regular users, a high level of nicotine dependence was observed in 28.64% (n = 61) of individuals, with the largest proportion occurring among those using electronic cigarettes (39.37%; n = 50). Conclusions: 1. In the study group of adolescents and young adults, disposable e-cigarettes were the most used nicotine-containing product. 2. Parental smoking and male gender were positively associated with the likelihood of smoking, whereas primary education and financial stability were inversely associated with tobacco use. 3. Electronic cigarette users exhibited the highest average nicotine dependence scores. Multivariate analysis confirmed that male gender, the type of nicotine product used, and place of residence were independently associated with higher Fagerström test scores.