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Aldhahir AM, Siraj RA, Alqarni AA, Alqahtani JS, Alyami MM, Majrshi MS, Alwafi H, Alqahtani MM, Monshi SS, Al-Zalabani AH, Alanazi AM. The prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco and nicotine use among students in healthcare disciplines in Saudi Arabian universities: a cross-sectional survey. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1348370. [PMID: 38515594 PMCID: PMC10954892 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1348370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulelah M. Aldhahir
- Respiratory Therapy Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rayan A. Siraj
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A. Alqarni
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, Faculty of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Respiratory Therapy Unit, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaber S. Alqahtani
- Department of Respiratory Care, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed M. Alyami
- Respiratory Therapy Department, Batterjee Medical College, Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mansour S. Majrshi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hassan Alwafi
- Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed M. Alqahtani
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah S. Monshi
- Department of Health Administration and Hospitals, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmohsen H. Al-Zalabani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M. Alanazi
- Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
Disease Odds for E-Cigarettes and Dual Use versus CigarettesE-cigarettes have been promoted as less harmful than cigarettes. In this meta-analysis, Glantz et al. show that for some diseases, e-cigarette disease risks were similar to cigarettes, and for others e-cigarettes were nearly as risky as cigarettes. The risks associated with dual use were higher than those for smoking alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nhung Nguyen
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
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Hanewinkel R, Glantz SA. Clinical trial shows that giving smokers free e-cigarettes creates more dual users than switchers or quitters. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 68:102452. [PMID: 38333538 PMCID: PMC10850401 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
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Hanewinkel R, Ulbricht S. [Intended and unintended effects of e-cigarettes in clinical studies: a plea for (more) transparency]. Pneumologie 2024. [PMID: 38266746 DOI: 10.1055/a-2243-9399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
E-cigarettes are used in clinical trials to facilitate smoking cessation. Due to the health risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes, the results of clinical trials should be fully reported, including continued exclusive use and dual use of tobacco and e-cigarettes. Nicotine cessation outcomes should be reported as the primary endpoint as well as the analysis of tobacco cessation alone. As there is currently no robust evidence that reducing cigarette consumption provides substantial health benefits, cigarette consumption reduction should not be used as a health outcome in clinical trials. Continued nicotine dependence should be included as an "adverse event" in the reporting of trial results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner Hanewinkel
- IFT-Nord gGmbH, Institut für Therapie- und Gesundheitsforschung, Kiel, Deutschland
| | - Sabina Ulbricht
- Institut für Community Medcine, Abteilung Präventionsforschung und Sozialmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland
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Ravara S, Corrêa PC, Calheiros J, Pisinger C. The public health impact of e-cigarette use: Revisiting Geoffrey Rose's prevention strategies. Pulmonology 2023; 29:452-454. [PMID: 37230881 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Ravara
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, and CHCB University Hospital, Covilhã, Portugal; Public Health Research Centre (CISP), National School of Public Health, Nova University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - P Crp Corrêa
- Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - J Calheiros
- Instituto de Investigação, Inovação e Desenvolvimento (FP-I3ID), Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Pisinger
- Centre for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University, Denmark
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Abstract
This paper deals with the question of whether electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) can minimize the proven harm of smoking tobacco or may lead to a long-term harm. While the British Royal College of Physicians recommends smokers to use e-cigarettes as a substitute for tobacco products, the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine advises smokers against using e-cigarettes. The harm reduction strategy is based on three hypotheses. Hypothesis 1: It is assumed that e-cigarettes cause less damage to health than tobacco cigarettes. Hypothesis 2: It is postulated that smokers are motivated to switch from conventional cigarettes to e-cigarettes. Hypothesis 3: It is assumed that e-cigarettes are an effective means for quitting smoking with few side effects. Although the long-term health consequences of e-cigarette use remain unknown, there is increasing evidence that e-cigarettes are toxic, harmful to cardiovascular system, respiratory health and potentially carcinogenic. Population-representative epidemiological surveys have shown that three-quarters of all current e-cigarette users in Germany smoke tobacco at the same time. In a few randomized clinical trials, e-cigarettes showed higher success rates compared to nicotine replacement products. As over-the-counter consumer products, a large number of studies have found no advantage for e-cigarettes under real conditions. In addition, e-cigarettes prolong nicotine dependence compared to nicotine replacement products. According to the current state of knowledge, the hypotheses behind the harm minimization strategy using e-cigarettes must be regarded as refuted. It therefore appears ethically problematic when doctors recommend e-cigarettes to their patients as a substitute for smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner Hanewinkel
- Institut für Therapie- und Gesundheitsforschung, IFT-Nord gGmbH, Kiel, Deutschland
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