The prevalence of e-cigarette and cigarette smoking among students in Central and Eastern Europe - preliminary results of YUPESS study.

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of e-cigarette and cigarette smoking among the young adults pose a very significant epidemiological issue. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of e-cigarette and cigarette smoking usage among students in Europe. Methods: The study was carried out as a part of international multi-centre cross-sectional study - YoUng People E-Smoking Study (YUPESS). A population based survey was performed among students from five countries: Belarus (B), Lithuania (L), Poland (P), Russia (R) and Slovakia (S). We used previously validated, created for the purpose of the study, questionnaire focused on e-cigarette and cigarette smoking habits. Results: The study population were 11974 students (6797 medical, 5177 non-medical) aged 20.7±2.4 y-rs: the response rate was 73%. Ever e-cigarette use declared 43.1% of the respondents (B:42.7%; L:56.7%; P:44.1%; R:33.4%; S:34.4%; p Conclusions: Among students cigarettes are more popular than e-cigarettes. The highest prevalence of e-cigarette usage was observed in Russia and Lithuania. The frequency of using e-cigarettes requires constant monitoring.