E-CIGARETTES, VAPING, AND ORAL HEALTH: ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS IN SAUDI ARABIA'S YOUNG ADULT POPULATION – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Authors

  • Hisham Abbas Komo, Raneem Yahya Moshat, Wafaa Ahmed Alshehri, Ahmed Marzouq Alhejaili , Wejdan Hussain ALzubaidi , Saleh Suliman Almuzaini, Ruba Sami Alghamdi , Salem Ali Alqahtani, Manal Abdullah Alqahtani, Khames T. Alzahrani Author

Abstract

Introduction: This study was designed to find out the level of knowledge and awareness of Saudi Arabian young adults about the risks to their oral health from vaping and e-cigarettes. The prevalence of e-cigarette use has significantly increased worldwide, particularly among younger people. As a result, it is necessary to determine how these individuals perceive the harmful effects of e-cigarettes on oral health, and this study is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of the oral health risks associated with e-cigarettes and vaping products among young adults in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July - December 2024 in Saudi Arabia. The inclusion criteria included all Saudi Arabians who agreed to participate in the study and were aged between 16-24 years, were able to answer and respond to the survey in English or Arabic and were both electronic cigarette users and non-users. Exclusion criteria from the study were those who were younger than 16 years and older than 24, unable to understand and respond to the survey, and those who did not agree to participate in the study. The suggested sample size for this study, as computed by the Roasoft sample size calculator, was 385 people with a 95% confidence level and a 5% margin of error, ensuring that the minimum number of respondents needed to be a representative sample of the whole population. Results: This cross-sectional study involving 258 young adults in Saudi Arabia assessed knowledge and awareness of e-cigarettes and their effects on oral health. Results indicated that 58.8% of participants recognized the harmful effects of vaping, particularly its association with oral cancer (70% awareness). While a majority expressed high knowledge levels (64.3%), 62.4% still lacked comprehensive understanding of specific risks such as periodontal inflammation. Notably, 84.5% abstained from e-cigarette use, showing a significant trend away from vaping. Gender, smoking status, and willingness to quit exhibited significant relationships with awareness levels, highlighting areas for targeted educational initiatives. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the knowledge and awareness of oral health risks associated with e-cigarettes and vaping among young adults in Saudi Arabia. While the findings indicate a commendable level of awareness, significant gaps remain that necessitate targeted educational interventions.

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Published

2025-01-15

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Articles

How to Cite

E-CIGARETTES, VAPING, AND ORAL HEALTH: ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS IN SAUDI ARABIA’S YOUNG ADULT POPULATION – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY. (2025). CAHIERS MAGELLANES-NS, 504-519. https://magellanes.com/index.php/CMN/article/view/1232