Electronic cigarette awareness and use among adults in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained popularity rapidly in the Western world but data in the East are scarce. We examined the awareness and ever use of e-cigarettes, and reasons for e-cigarette use in a probability sample of adults in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data were collected in 2014 from Chinese adults aged 15-65 in Hong Kong (819 never smokers, 800 former smokers, 800 current smokers) via computer-assisted telephone interviews (response rate: 73.8%). Analysis was limited to a subset of 809 respondents (i.e., 357 never smokers, 269 former smokers, 183 current smokers) who were randomly selected to answer questions on e-cigarettes. Chi-square analyses compared e-cigarette awareness and ever use by gender, age, education, and cigarette smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression examined if e-cigarette awareness was associated with demographic variables and cigarette smoking status.


RESULTS
75.4% of adults had heard of e-cigarettes, and 2.3% reported having used e-cigarettes. Greater awareness was associated with male gender and higher education. Ever use of e-cigarettes was higher among males (3.6%, p=.03), younger adults (aged 15-29, 5.2%, p=.002), and current cigarette smokers (11.8%, p<.001). Common reasons for using e-cigarettes were curiosity (47.4%), the stylish product design (25.8%), and quitting smoking (13.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness of e-cigarettes was widespread in Hong Kong. Although the use of e-cigarettes was low, its relation with younger age and current smoking is of concern. Health surveillance of e-cigarette use is needed. Interventions should target young adults and cigarette smokers, and address the marketing messages, especially the effect of e-cigarettes on smoking cessation.
School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 5/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong.
Nan
N
Jiang
School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, 4/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong.
Jing
J
Chen
School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, 4/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong. Electronic address: mpwang@hku.hk.
Man-Ping
MP
Wang
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Unit 4402-03, 44/F Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Sarah M
SM
McGhee
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Unit 4402-03, 44/F Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Antonio C S
AC
Kwong
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Unit 4402-03, 44/F Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Vienna W Y
VW
Lai
School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, 5/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong.
Tai-Hing
TH
Lam
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
Adult; Electronic cigarette; Epidemiology; Hong Kong