Prevalence and Associated Factors of E-Cigarette Use among Adolescents in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The use of e-cigarettes in adolescents remains a major public health concern. Like other tobacco products, e-cigarettes pose health risks to adolescents. Understanding the magnitude of this problem and identification of its associated factors will serve as a guide for development of preventive interventions. This systematic review aims to identify and discuss current epidemiological data on the prevalence and associated factors of e-cigarette use among adolescents in Southeast Asia. The reporting of this systematic review is in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. We carried out a literature search through three databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science) and targeted original English-language articles published between 2012 and 2021. A total of 10 studies were included in this review. The prevalence of current e-cigarette uses ranges from 3.3% to 11.8%. Several associated factors of e-cigarette use were identified, including sociodemographic factors, traumatic childhood experience, peer and parental influence, knowledge and perception, substance use, and accessibility of e-cigarettes. These factors should be addressed though multifaceted interventions which simultaneously target multiple factors. Laws, policies, programs, and interventions must be strengthened and tailored to the needs of adolescents at risk of using e-cigarettes.

Vaping Among Adolescents: An Overview of E-Cigarette Use in Middle and High School Students in India

“…Healthcare providers can also help by screening patients for e-cigarette use during routine medical visits, counseling patients and their families about the health risks of e-cigarette use, and providing evidence-based resources for smoking cessation. By working together, parents and healthcare providers can help prevent the uptake of e-cigarette use among adolescents and promote healthy lifestyles [ 28 - 30 ].…”

E‐cigarettes in Nigeria: A scoping review of evidence

“…17 In Southeast Asia, the prevalence of current e-cigarette users varies from 3.3% (Thailand) to 11.8% (Indonesia). 18 The addictive effect that occurs from e-cigarettes underscores the potential for e-cigarette use to exert a more profound impact on the developing brain, heightening susceptibility to the use of other substances. [19][20][21] This is important as critical brain regions do not reach full maturity until individuals are in their early or mid-20s.…”

“…Among all adults in Great Britain, e‐cigarette prevalence has remained constant since 2015; however, 2017–2018 prevalence estimates account for 5.4% to 6.2% for all adults 17 . In Southeast Asia, the prevalence of current e‐cigarette users varies from 3.3% (Thailand) to 11.8% (Indonesia) 18 …”

“…17 In Southeast Asia, the prevalence of current e‐cigarette users varies from 3.3% (Thailand) to 11.8% (Indonesia). 18 …”

Implications of nicotine vaping products for tobacco control in ASEAN low-income and middle-income countries: in-depth interviews with experts from the region

“…However, evidence suggests that multinational NVP companies have penetrated the markets in the ASEAN’s eight low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs): Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam 43 44. Research also shows that young people have started to experiment with and use these devices in various countries in the region,42 45 including among university students in Vietnam46 and school children in Malaysia,47 Indonesia48 and the Philippines 49. Websites and social media have been used to promote and directly sell NVPs and nicotine e-liquids to young people in ASEAN LMICs, particularly in Indonesia,50 51 where these online platforms advertise vape stores where youth can try and buy these products 43.…”