Distressing Reality: Mumbai School Students Show Growing Interest and Familiarity with E-Cigarettes.

Q2 Medicine

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention Pub Date : 2025-05-01 DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.5.1719

Tshering D Bhutia, Manasi Bawdekar, Kirti Gaur, Narayan Lad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of nicotine, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained popularity as devices that deliver nicotine and other chemicals to users in the form of aerosol without the need for combustion. The study examines increasing use of e-cigarettes among under-resourced adolescents in Mumbai's municipal and government schools.

Methods: We used purposive sampling to recruit 72 students of Grade 8 and 9 from nine Mumbai municipal schools, enrolled in the Salaam Bombay programme, based on their willingness and ability to discuss e-cigarettes. We used thematic analysis to analyse interview data.

Results: Results reveal that despite financial constraints, curiosity and misconceptions about safety these teens are drawn to e-cigarettes. Peer pressure and strategies to bypass bans exacerbate the trend. While the students are aware of ban on e-cigarettes, their understanding about the regulations remains limited. The 2019 Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA), while not entirely eradicating e-cigarette availability, has had a surprisingly positive impact. Informing the participants about legal consequences outlined in PECA triggered fear and a shift towards discreet consumption. This suggests that the law serves as an effective deterrent in curbing adolescent use. This research emphasizes the significance of PECA in reducing e-cigarette use among adolescents, advocating for its sustained and potentially amplified application.

Conclusion: The study concludes that PECA alone is insufficient to address this complex issue. It calls for a comprehensive strategy, including targeted interventions that address peer pressure, online influences, and greater involvement of families to protect adolescents from dangers of e-cigarettes. A multi-faceted approach that includes education, legal enforcement, and community engagement is essential to combat this complex public health issue effectively.

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令人沮丧的现实：孟买学生对电子烟的兴趣和熟悉程度越来越高。

简介：在尼古丁不断发展的环境中，电子烟（电子烟）作为一种不需要燃烧就能以气溶胶的形式向使用者提供尼古丁和其他化学物质的设备而受到欢迎。该研究调查了孟买市立学校和公立学校中资源不足的青少年越来越多地使用电子烟。方法：我们采用有目的抽样的方法，根据他们讨论电子烟的意愿和能力，从孟买9所市政学校招募了72名8年级和9年级的学生，这些学生参加了Salaam Bombay计划。我们使用专题分析来分析访谈数据。结果：结果显示，尽管经济拮据、好奇心和对安全的误解，这些青少年还是被电子烟所吸引。同辈压力和绕开禁令的策略加剧了这一趋势。虽然学生们知道电子烟禁令，但他们对规定的理解仍然有限。2019年的《禁止电子烟法案》（PECA）虽然没有完全消除电子烟的供应，但却产生了令人惊讶的积极影响。向参与者告知PECA概述的法律后果，引发了恐惧，并转向谨慎消费。这表明法律在遏制青少年使用毒品方面起到了有效的威慑作用。这项研究强调了PECA在减少青少年使用电子烟方面的重要性，倡导其持续和潜在的扩大应用。结论：本研究得出结论，仅PECA不足以解决这一复杂问题。报告呼吁制定一项综合战略，包括针对同伴压力、网络影响和家庭更多参与的有针对性干预措施，以保护青少年免受电子烟的危害。要有效应对这一复杂的公共卫生问题，必须采取包括教育、执法和社区参与在内的多方面办法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 医学-肿瘤学

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

0.00%

发文量

779

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Cancer is a very complex disease. While many aspects of carcinoge-nesis and oncogenesis are known, cancer control and prevention at the community level is however still in its infancy. Much more work needs to be done and many more steps need to be taken before effective strategies are developed. The multidisciplinary approaches and efforts to understand and control cancer in an effective and efficient manner, require highly trained scientists in all branches of the cancer sciences, from cellular and molecular aspects to patient care and palliation. The Asia Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention (APOCP) and its official publication, the Asia Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (APJCP), have served the community of cancer scientists very well and intends to continue to serve in this capacity to the best of its abilities. One of the objectives of the APOCP is to provide all relevant and current scientific information on the whole spectrum of cancer sciences. They aim to do this by providing a forum for communication and propagation of original and innovative research findings that have relevance to understanding the etiology, progression, treatment, and survival of patients, through their journal. The APJCP with its distinguished, diverse, and Asia-wide team of editors, reviewers, and readers, ensure the highest standards of research communication within the cancer sciences community across Asia as well as globally. The APJCP publishes original research results under the following categories: -Epidemiology, detection and screening. -Cellular research and bio-markers. -Identification of bio-targets and agents with novel mechanisms of action. -Optimal clinical use of existing anti-cancer agents, including combination therapies. -Radiation and surgery. -Palliative care. -Patient adherence, quality of life, satisfaction. -Health economic evaluations.