Prevalence and perceptions of e-cigarette use among medical students in a Saudi University

Prevalence of Electronic Cigarette Smoking Among Students of Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia

Background Electronic cigarettes are devices that use a flavored nicotine solution instead of burning tobacco leaves. Since their emergence, e-cigarettes have gained popularity in Saudi Arabia, particularly among young adults. Recently, many non-smoking youths have begun to use e-cigarettes as an alternative social behavior. Recent studies have confirmed that e-cigarettes have harmful effects on the respiratory system. Approximately 48.5 million Europeans have used an e-cigarette at least once while 7.5 million Europeans currently use e-cigarettes. This study aims to assess the prevalence of e-cigarette use and possible addictiveness among Shaqra University students. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Shaqra University in 2021. A total of 290 students (18 years old and older) from Shaqra University were included in our study. The subjects were selected through simple random sampling. A self-administered online questionnaire related to e-cigarettes was used. Results Completed questionnaires were obtained from 290 students (average age of 20.2 ± 1.8 years). A total of 58 (20.1%) of the respondents were e-cigarette users. The obtained results showed that the mean age of e-cigarette smokers was 20.5 years, e-cigarette usage significantly differed between age groups (p < 0.001), and the highest prevalence of e-cigarette smoking was in Shaqra Governorate (i.e., 13.1%). Conclusion It's vital to acknowledge that the capacity for addiction to e-cigarettes is comparable to traditional smoking and other nicotine-containing items. It's essential to consistently observe students and smokers to better understand the effects of vaping patterns on this specific group.

The prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco and nicotine use among students in healthcare disciplines in Saudi Arabian universities: a cross-sectional survey

Background

Tobacco smoking is one of the most significant health-related problems worldwide. However, the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco and nicotine use among students on healthcare courses in Saudi Arabia are limited.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire that was distributed via SurveyMonkey between November 2022 and June 2023 to all student universities offering healthcare courses. Data are presented as frequency and percentages. The associated sociodemographic factors with current tobacco and nicotine use were subjected to logistic regression.

Results

Overall, 5,012, of whom 3,872 (77.25%) were males, responded to the online survey. The prevalence of current tobacco and nicotine use was 3,553 (71%). The majority of users used electronic nicotine delivery systems (1,622: 32.36%). The current use of cigarettes (AOR: 1.75 (1.42 to 2.15)), e-cigarettes (AOR: 1.17 (1.01 to 1.37)), and smokeless tobacco substances (AOR: 1.35 (1.02 to 1.90)) were more pronounced among males compared to female students. However, the current use of a hookah was less among males (AOR: 0.74 (95% CI: 61 to 0.91)). Smoking cigarettes was practiced less among students living in other regions compared to the Central Region. However, smokeless tobacco substances seem to be more prevalent in the Western, Southern, and Northern Regions, (AOR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.26)), (AOR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.95)), and (AOR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.26)), respectively.

Conclusion

Smoking is prevalent among students in the healthcare disciplines, with electronic nicotine delivery systems being the most used product. Several sociodemographic factors were associated with higher tobacco or nicotine use.

The Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review

The use of electronic cigarettes (or "e-cigarettes") is spreading throughout the world. Population-level data from a number of countries indicate that e-cigarettes are used more by children and young adults than by the overall population. Although extensive research has been conducted in Western nations to better understand many aspects of e-cigarette usage among children and young adults, Middle Eastern nations have little data on this topic. The use of tobacco is detrimental to the health, finances, and national spirit of Saudi Arabia. More than 7,000 of its citizens die each year from diseases caused by tobacco use. Nevertheless, more than 20,000 youngsters and 3,352,000 adults smoke cigarettes each day. Similarly, the use of electronic cigarettes is on the rise, possibly as a result of aggressive publicity and marketing campaigns by manufacturers that appeal to the younger demographic. This review was undertaken through literature research to ascertain the usage and attitudes toward e-cigarette use among the Saudi population.

A literature review addressing midwakh and e-cigarette use in the Gulf region

A notable decrease in conventional cigarette smoking has been witnessed on a global scale. However, this decrease has been accompanied by an equally striking global increase in the consumption of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), namely e-cigarettes and midwakh in the Arabian Gulf region. A literature review was used to outline the chemical composition of these two ATPs and review their impacts on health. The study was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, MDPI, and WorldCat. The literature search included terms such as "e-cigarettes," "midwakh," "dokha," "heath impacts," "psychological effects," "social influences," and "cigarette smoking" with emphasis on literature from the Arabian Gulf region. Data shows that midwakh contains markedly high levels of tar, nicotine, and various compounds of notable effects on the human body. Similarly, it was found that e-cigarettes contain non-negligible amounts of nicotine and other chemical compounds that may not have been extensively investigated. Alarming reports of system-specific effects brought about by midwakh, and e-cigarette consumption, have been reported, although further research is needed to deduce the mechanism. We also discussed some of the social and psychological factors leading to their consumption within this population. Hence, this review raises questions around the safety of these two types of ATPs and encourages comprehensive studies globally and regionally.

E-cigarette use and respiratory symptoms in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is gaining popularity among adults. Monitoring e-cigarette-induced respiratory symptoms is crucial for both clinical and regulatory purposes. We systematically reviewed the current literature to understand the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among exclusive e-cigarette users, dual users, and former smokers.

METHODS

Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus. We included all English-language, empirical quantitative articles that explored the prevalence of e-cigarette-related respiratory symptoms. Random-effects models were utilized in conducting the meta-analyses. The quality of identified studies was evaluated using the NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools. This study is registered with PROSPERO(#CRD42020165973).

RESULTS

The literature search identified 1240 references. After removing duplicates and screening for eligibility, 168 studies were included in the final review. The majority of included studies reported a wide range of adverse respiratory symptoms. The respiratory symptoms were prevalent among the exclusive e-cigarette users, dual users, and those who switched from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Further, out of the RCT studies, 5 were rated as good quality, while 3 were rated as fair. Among the observational studies, 24 were rated as good quality, and 9 were rated as fair. The two experimental studies were both rated as fair quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Continued monitoring of respiratory symptoms among e-cigarette users is warranted. Due to the heterogeneity and inconsistencies among studies, which limit result interpretation and highlight the need for studies assessing causal inference, further research using robust study designs is essential. This will provide clinicians with comprehensive knowledge about the potential respiratory risks of e-cigarette use.

The Use of Vaping Among Male Health Sciences Students Compared to Other Male Students in Riyadh

Background Vaping has become widely used by teenagers due to its accessibility, variety of flavors, peer influence, and the thought that it is a less harmful alternative to tobacco smoking. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of vaping among health sciences students compared to other college students in Riyadh and identify reasons for its usage. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three major universities of Riyadh: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. A self-administered online questionnaire related to the use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes was utilized. It included questions about the use of conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes and the reasons for using them. Responses were compared between health sciences and non-health sciences students in Riyadh. Results An electronic survey was distributed online, and 442 students responded, but two of them did not agree to participate, so they were removed from the sample. Out of 440 students, 312 (71%) were health sciences students, and 128 (29%) were non-health sciences students. Smoking conventional cigarettes was found among 38 (12%) health sciences students, and 22 (17%) non-health college students smoked conventional cigarettes (p=0.16). Regarding vaping, 117 (38%) health sciences students smoked e-cigarettes. On the other hand, 47 (39%) non-health college students smoked e-cigarettes (p=0.99). Anxiety/stress relief (54%) and peer influence (46%) were the most common reasons for those who smoked conventional cigarettes. Regarding the most common reasons behind using e-cigarettes, the majority (55%) considered e-cigarettes less harmful than conventional cigarettes. The second most common reason was having no distinctive odor (36%). Conclusion The study found that there was a high prevalence of the self-reported use of e-cigarettes. It appears that the use of conventional cigarette smoking is not as common as e-cigarettes among university students. This study found that university students tend to use e-cigarettes more than conventional cigarettes due to the belief that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes.

Public awareness, prevalence, and regulations for the sale of electronic cigarettes in Arab countries: A narrative review

The majority of the Arab countries have high records of daily tobacco smoking. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use has exponentially increased in the past decade in Arab countries. Consumers' willingness to quit smoking traditional cigarettes and their perception of e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes have increased the demand for these devices. This narrative review aimed to gather and discuss the available literature on the awareness, prevalence, and sales regulations of e-cigarettes in Arab countries. A search was conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar with no time limits until the end of 2021. Some of the recent studies (2019-2021) considered in this review have reported that more than 25% of participants were e-cigarettes users. The prevalence of e-cigarettes has increased drastically with raised awareness of e-cigarettes among the population in these Arab countries. Most of the users of e-cigarettes are young males. In addition, an increase in e-cigarettes use has been reported in females. The policies which regulate trade and sale of e-cigarettes and related products were issued in only three Arab countries. In contrast, regulations for the trade and sale of traditional cigarette products are also applied in some countries to e-cigarette products, banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and/or amend smoke-free laws to restrict public use of e-cigarettes. There is a need for a concerted effort to assess the prevalence and significant rise of e-cigarettes consumption in Arab societies to help implement and improve harm reduction policies.

The prevalence of xerostomia among e-cigarette or combustible tobacco users: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of xerostomia in a healthy population with e-cigarettes and/or combustible tobacco.

METHODS

The following electronic databases were searched: Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wan-Fang Database, from 1 January 2000 to 20 October 2022. The language was limited to Chinese and English. The data were analyzed using Stata 15.0, and the prevalence of xerostomia in different smokers is reported.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies were included, with a total sample size of 6827 cases. The overall prevalence of xerostomia was 26% (95% CI: 18-35). In the combustible tobacco population, the prevalence of xerostomia was 24% (95% CI: 21-17), while among e-cigarette users it was 33% (95% CI: 18-48).

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that the prevalence of xerostomia is high in healthy smoking populations. These findings are restricted by the number and quality of the included studies and need to be validated by additional high-quality studies.

Knowledge and Attitude toward E-Cigarettes among First Year University Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarettes are immensely popular among youths across the globe. However, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding their use vary by country. The present study investigated the knowledge and attitudes toward e-cigarette use among first-year university students in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was adopted, and an online, self-administered questionnaire assessing the knowledge of and attitudes toward e-cigarette use was utilized to conduct this study. The study population included students from all streams enrolled in their first year of university. Descriptive statistics were used to report percentages and frequencies, while advanced statistics, such as multiple logistic regression analyses, were used to determine associations.

RESULTS

The lifetime and current prevalence of e-cigarette use was 27.4% and 13.5%, respectively, among first-year university students. The mean age of smoking initiation was 16.4 ± 1.2 years. Of e-cigarette users, 31.3% smoked every day and 86.7% used flavored e-cigarettes. Knowledge of the harmful effects of e-cigarettes was high (addiction, 61.2%; asthma, 61%; nicotine content, 75.2%). However, when comparing e-cigarettes to regular cigarettes, only 22.5% and 48.4% of the students reported that they carry the same risk and contain the same chemicals as regular cigarettes do. There was a lack of knowledge (17.1%) regarding government regulations related to e-cigarettes. An attitude of support was observed regarding banning e-cigarettes (2.6 ± 1.5 on a scale of 0 to 4), while at the same time, some associated e-cigarette use with helping to reduce tobacco dependency (2.1 ± 1.2). Marketing adverts were agreed upon to positively influence youth (1.9 ± 1.4). However, the participants' perceptions relating e-cigarette use to style were not well articulated. Significant gender differences were found: most of the women who participated in the study had better knowledge of e-cigarettes (p < 0.001). Being male, having higher income status (OR = 1.67; p = 0.013), being a current smoker (OR = 11.6; p < 0.001), and having intention for future use (OR = 3.45; p < 0.001) were strong predictors of e-cigarette use.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested the increasing popularity of e-cigarette use among male first-year university students. More educational campaigns and stricter regulations are needed to curb this trend.

E-Cigarette Use among Male Smokers in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

E-cigarette use is increasing globally. Recent evidence suggests that e-cigarettes contain harmful substances that could cause adverse health outcomes. This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of e-cigarette use among male current smokers in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult male current smokers in the Al-Ahsa province of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. We performed logistic regression analyses to investigate the factors associated with e-cigarette use among adult male current smokers. 325 current smokers participated in the study. A third of them (33.5%) were e-cigarette users. Almost all the study participants (97.0%) had heard about e-cigarettes. Participants who were occasional smokers (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.28; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.17-4.41) and had good knowledge perception of e-cigarettes (OR 3.49; 95% CI: 2.07-5.90) had higher odds of using e-cigarettes when compared to regular smokers of conventional cigarettes and current smokers with poor knowledge perception of e-cigarettes, respectively. In contrast, private employees (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07-0.85), and business owners (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.63) had lower odds of using e-cigarettes compared to unemployed individuals. Compared with non-e-cigarette users, the rate of conventional cigarette smoking per day was significantly lower among e-cigarette users. Use of e-cigarette (OR: 3.57, 95% CI: 2.14-5.98), believing that e-cigarette quitting is hard (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.17-3.49) and trying to quit e-cigarettes (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.1-4.25) were found to be significant predictors of good knowledge perception of e-cigarettes among the current smokers. The use and knowledge perception of e-cigarettes were higher among occasional conventional male cigarette smokers than regular male smokers in Al-Ahsa province. The use of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids should be examined further in the Saudi Arabian setting.

E-cigarettes and Vaping: A Smoking Cessation Method or Another Smoking Innovation?

The prevalence of using e-cigarettes (vaping) has risen rapidly since its introduction in 2007, mostly among male youth. Although research on the health risks of e-cigarettes is still limited, there is growing evidence of debilitating pulmonary conditions and general immune weakness from e-cigarettes, leading to various infections. Moreover, there are concerns that vaping could be used as a new model of cannabis consumption, increasing cannabis addiction among adolescents. With well-known health risks from traditional smoking, e-cigarettes are viewed as a safe way of smoking, appealing more to youth. Additionally, extensive e-cigarette marketing boosted by the internet and fame has resulted in worries that e-cigarettes can lead to a renormalization of cigarette smoking and can be used as a new method to consume vaporized drugs. Although the concern that e-cigarettes are as harmful as traditional smoking has been raised, youth and most healthcare providers remain relatively unaware. Therefore, this review explored the association between e-cigarettes and traditional smoking. With the introduction of e-cigarettes in the last two decades, the topic is still new and less studied. Therefore, this review will help us understand the topic to better care for e-cigarette smokers and reduce the increasing public health burden from vaping.

Prevalence, knowledge and attitude toward electronic cigarette use among male health colleges students in Saudi Arabia-A cross-sectional study

Background

Health care professionals have an important role in increasing awareness about smoking harms and serving as role models. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitude and perception toward electronic cigarettes (ECs) as well as prevalence of ECs use among male health colleges students.

Method

This is a cross-sectional survey-based study conducted among students in the male campus of five different health colleges over a 4-month period from February 2020 to May 2020. Descriptive analysis was used to assess the knowledge, perception and attitude, and inferential testing was used to evaluate the association of different participant's variables and knowledge toward ECs usage using SPSS.

Results

A total of 333 students were included in the analysis. Most of students (n = 205; 61.6%) had never used ECs, while 22.8 and 15.6% used them for recreational and smoking cessation purposes, respectively. Focusing on ECs users from each college individually, medical students had the highest prevalence followed by dental, pharmacy and nursing students (47.4, 40.7, 34.5, and 32%, respectively). Many students had misconceptions and a low level of knowledge about ECs, such as recognizing them as smoking-cessation tools and not knowing whether toxic and carcinogenic components levels in ECs are similar to conventional cigarettes, respectively. Medical students had significantly higher knowledge compared to dental students [3 (2) vs. 2 (1); p = 0.033]. Moreover, smokers were less knowledgeable than non-smokers [2.5 (1) vs. 2.1 (1), p = 0.027]. At least 62.8% of students perceived using ECs as a fashionable alternative smoking method and 59.2% believed that they may become a gateway for smoking addiction. Only 120 (36.0%) health colleges students were confidently able to advise smokers regarding ECs.

Conclusion

Our study highlights an increased trend of ECs use accompanied with insufficient knowledge and several misconceptions about ECs among health colleges students. This was associated with a negative influence on their attitude toward ECs use, which would potentially lead to negative consequences on public health.

Knowledge and Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Young Adults in the United Arab Emirates, Particularly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

(1) Background: The popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has recently increased. Although they are less harmful than regular cigarettes, they still cause health consequences and their use for smoking cessation is inconclusive. The objective of this study was to evaluate patterns of use, knowledge about, and attitude towards e-cigarettes among youth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) while also researching the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking behavior. (2) Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was distributed across three major universities in the UAE (n = 240) between March and November 2021. Descriptive analysis, comparison across gender and nationality groups, and correlates between 30-day e-cigarette use and self-reported increases in nicotine consumption during the pandemic were studied. (3) Results: About 37% of students had used an e-cigarette in their lifetime, and 23% had smoked e-cigarettes in the past month. During the pandemic, 52% of university students self-reported no change in nicotine consumption, while only 17.5% had reported an increase. The current smoking of regular cigarettes, waterpipe, and medwakh increased the odds of having an increase in smoking during the pandemic by 5.3 times. (4) Conclusions: The findings inform about youth behavior and knowledge about vaping in the UAE and could also support the development of awareness interventions.

Methods and Statistical Analyses in Studies of Motivation for E-Cigarette Use Among University Students: An Integrative Review

Understanding the motivations for e-cigarette use among college and university students is essential for developing and implementing effective interventions. Evaluating existing literature is necessary to identify methodological gaps and limitations and improve the quality of future research. We aimed to evaluate the quality of the methods and statistical analyses and integrate evidence addressing motivations for e-cigarette use among college and university students. An integrative literature review was conducted by two researchers to identify and evaluate peer-reviewed, quantitative, and mixed methods research exploring motivations for e-cigarette use among college and university students. A systematic analytic method of data reduction was used to identify alignment and divergence of the data, gaps in the literature, and methodological limitations. Fifteen quantitative studies and three mixed methods studies published between 2015-2020 were included. Most studies were cross-sectional, used convenience sampling, and lacked psychometric and assumptions testing. Half performed regression analyses, however, very few adhered to research and statistical reporting standards. Current literature provides a foundation for developing and implementing interventions aimed to prevent e-cigarette use and encourage cessation. Future research should incorporate stronger sampling methods and research designs, as well as the use of rigorous statistical analyses in conjunction with thorough reporting. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1990332.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, Harm Perception, and Attitudes Toward E-cigarette Use Among University Students in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is becoming more popular worldwide, especially among youth. Studies report that university students have inadequate knowledge as well as misconceptions about the health risks of e-cigarettes, which may lead to their use even in populations where smoking prevalence is relatively low. At this age, the influence of peers is also significant. Understanding attitudes of university students toward the use of e-cigarettes is important for effective tobacco prevention interventions. In this study, we assess the prevalence of e-cigarette use among students in Qatar's largest national university, as well as their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of harm in relation to e-cigarettes. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study among Qatar University students using a self-administered online questionnaire. Descriptive univariate analyses were conducted as well as bivariate analyses to check the association of e-cigarette use with variables of interest. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess determinants of e-cigarette use among students. Results: One hundred ninety-nine students completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of e-cigarette use among students was 14%, with no significant difference by gender (16.2% in males and 12.8% in females). In bivariate analyses, significantly fewer e-cigarette users believed that e-cigarettes cause disease compared to non-users. 67.9% of e-cigarette users compared to 37.6% of non-users believed that e-cigarettes were less harmful than traditional cigarettes, and 78.6% of users compared to 40.4% of non-users believed that their use could be helpful in preventing smoking traditional cigarettes. Bivariate associations between e-cigarette use and knowledge items were significant (p < 0.05) as well as having a smoker among siblings or friends. In the multivariate analysis, only having a friend who was a smoker remained significant after controlling for other variables (OR = 7.3, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study found that university students have knowledge gaps and misconceptions with regard to the harms associated with e-cigarettes use, especially among users. A comprehensive smoking prevention policy, educational interventions, and quit support are needed to enhance awareness among university students about the health effects associated with e-cigarettes use. Such interventions should also take into account the influence of peers on smoking practices.

The prevalence of E-cigarette uses among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University; a cross-sectional study 2020

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and commercially a commonplace in the media. Health concerns and the avoidance of smoking are the most frequently reported factors for conventional smokers to turn to e-cigarettes. However, there is insufficient information about the use of e-cigarettes in Makkah city; therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of electronic cigarette uses among medical students at Umm al-Qura University (UQU).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2020 among medical students at UQU, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a prevalidated printed version of a self-questionnaire to determine the prevalence and the main factors that influence medical students to smoke e-cigarettes and to evaluate their awareness, knowledge, and attitude.

RESULTS

Out of 1249medical students, 910 participated in the survey, about 31.8 % of them confirmed using e-cigarette regularly. 14.7% think e-cigarettes are medically approved method for smoking cessation, while 59.5% believe it can cause addiction similar to tobacco cigarettes. Among the regular users, 24.3% used it to quit tobacco smoking, 18.9% think it is less harmful, 20.3 % use it because it is less costly, and 18.9% because of stress. Also, 28.4% found it tasty. 30.8% believed that it is less harmful, about 74% stated that they received information about e-cigarettes and only 16% of them received it from medical school.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of e-cigarette uses among medical student in UQU found to be relatively high, and their overall knowledge is insufficient, which conflict our hypothesis.

Patterns of Tobacco Smoking and Nicotine Vaping among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Various forms of tobacco smoking and nicotine vaping tools are available on the market. This study quantified the prevalence of and identified factors associated with patterns of smoking and nicotine vaping among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional sample of students enrolled in three public universities was surveyed. Self-reported current smoking and nicotine vaping were recorded. Of 1123 students, 81.7% completed the online survey (mean age, 20.7 ± 3.4 (SD) years; 70.7% females). The prevalence of current smoking was 15.1% while the prevalence of current nicotine vaping was nearly 4.0%. Among current smokers, 54.7% reported conventional smoking only, 15.1% reported nicotine vaping only, and 28.8% were poly-users. Conventional midwakh (47.5%), followed by conventional shisha/waterpipe (36.7%), conventional cigarettes (36.7%), electronic shisha/waterpipe (25.2%), and electronic cigarettes (24.5%), were most commonly reported by students. Students aged 20–25 years (adjusted odds ratios (aOR): 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18–3.67) or >25 years (aOR: 4.24, 95% CI: 1.41–12.80) had higher odds of being current smokers compared to those aged 17–19 years. The male gender was also independently associated with higher odds of being a current smoker (aOR: 5.45, 95% CI: 3.31–8.97) as well as higher odds of smoking cigarettes, shisha, and midwakh, or nicotine vaping compared to being female. Of nicotine vaping users, 36.1% reported using nicotine vaping because they enjoyed the flavor and vaporizing experience and 34.4% used it to help them to quit smoking. A relatively high prevalence of self-reported smoking was reported among university students in the UAE. The findings also suggest that nicotine vaping use is relatively widespread, but still less common than traditional smoking. Vigilant and tailored university-based smoking control and preventive measures are warranted.