Exploring prevalence and attitudes of Liverpool John Moores University students towards vaping; A quantitative study.

Abstract

Background: The increase in vaping among student populations and youths in the United Kingdom and around the world has become a major public health concern. There is emerging evidence on the negative effects that vaping can have on individual health necessitating the need to explore prevalence and attitudes of university students towards vaping and determine the factors that influenced vaping.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was delivered to students on the public health, midwifery, and criminology departments of LJMU to assess the prevalence, patterns of vaping, attitudes towards vaping and their dependence on nicotine by adapting Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence. The link to the survey was sent to students via their email addresses. SPSS was used to analyse the results.

Results: A total of 82 students completed the survey. 85.4% were female and 70.7% were 25 years and above. Those that have ever vaped were 26.7% and 20.7% had vaped in the last six months. 17.6% of those who have vaped in last six months vaped daily. Compared to 18-24 years, students aged 25 and above vaped more. Peer pressure was the influencing factor to vape. 50% of UK students vaped compared to 16.1% of international students. 58.8% were classified as low dependence and 41.2% were low to moderate dependence. Above 80% of those that have vaped and never vaped agreed that vaping should be illegal for under 18, banned in public spaces and subject to the same rules as cigarettes.

Conclusion: The students had a positive attitude towards the current regulation on vaping. The percentage of students that have ever vaped was lower than other European Countries and higher than other studies in China and Saudi Arabia. None of the respondents have a high nicotine dependence. Peer pressure was the major factor that influenced vaping.