Knowledge and attitudes toward e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids among Saudi Arabian medical students: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: E-cigarettes have garnered global attention as a potential aid for smoking cessation, yet their safety and efficacy remain subjects of ongoing debate. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of medical students in Saudi Arabia regarding e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024 among 242 medical students in a tertiary institution in Saudi Arabia. Eligible participants were currently enrolled medical students who consented to participate, while incomplete responses were excluded. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and associations between variables were analyzed using chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression models, with p<0.05 as the criterion for statistical significance.

Results: Among respondents, 33.2% had tried e-cigarettes, and 17.8% identified as smokers. Younger participants (≤39 years), males, and those in earlier academic years exhibited significantly better knowledge and more favorable attitudes (p<0.001). Participants with exposure to cigarette or e-cigarette smoking through family or friends, demonstrated higher knowledge scores (p<0.0072 and p<0.001, respectively). High GPA was significantly associated with better knowledge (p<0.001) and more positive attitudes (p=0.0473). At the same time, positive attitudes were also more common among students with chronic diseases (p<0.001) and those with a family history of mental disorders (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Gender, academic exposure, and firsthand smoking experiences significantly shape medical students' perceptions of e-cigarettes. These findings suggest a need for targeted educational interventions to enhance evidence-based understanding and better prepare future physicians for smoking cessation counseling.