Factors Associated with and Perceptions of the Risks of E-Cigarettes : A Literature Review

Abstract

        Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, have rapidly gained popularity across all types, particularly among adolescents. This rise is driven by misconceptions propagated through advertising, which claim that e-cigarettes are free from nicotine, harmless to both users and those around them, and non-addictive. Such beliefs have encouraged first-time users, especially youths, to experiment with e-cigarettes. However, once used, e-cigarettes introduce nicotine into the body, leading to addiction. The promotion of e-cigarettes in films and media has further influenced the perception among adolescents that using them is fashionable and enhances social standing, prompting greater experimentation.  In contemporary society, e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular among adolescents, a demographic with easy access to technology. These devices often foster false beliefs among Thai youths, portraying them as trendy, modern, and safe. With their attractive designs, high prices, and claims of being non-offensive due to the absence of combustion and unpleasant odors, e-cigarettes are perceived as less harmful. However, in reality, e-cigarettes can cause addiction, and the nicotine present in them is inhaled into the lungs in greater quantities than from traditional cigarettes.ปFurthermore, studies indicate that knowledge and perception are significantly linked to e-cigarette use. A review of literature from both international and Thai contexts reveals that adolescents lack accurate knowledge and attitudes concerning e-cigarettes. Recently, health literacy has emerged as a widely studied topic.
        It encompasses skills such as accessing, understanding, and communicating health information—particularly media literacy—given the ease of accessing diverse information sources in the modern age. This academic research aims to identify factors influencing or causing access to e-cigarettes. The findings are used to develop tools for measuring health literacy, which, in turn, can investigate why adolescents use e-cigarettes. The results will be utilized to create programs aimed at promoting the prevention of e-cigarette use.