Abstract

MARTINEZ-SANCHEZ, José M. et al. Knowledge of electronic cigarettes and their perceived harmfulness among the adult population in Barcelona (Spain). Gac Sanit [online]. 2015, vol.29, n.4, pp.296-299. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2015.01.014.

Objective: To describe knowledge of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and their perceived harmfulness in the population of Barcelona in 2013-2014. Methods: We used participants from a longitudinal study of a representative sample of the adult population in the city of Barcelona (n = 736). The field work was conducted between May 2013 and February 2014. Results: Awareness of e-cigarette was 79.2%. The average level of knowledge was 4.4 points out of 10; there were statistically significant differences according to age, educational level, tobacco consumption, and nicotine dependence. Most participants had learned about e-cigarettes through traditional media (57.8%). Nearly half (47.2%) of the participants believed that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Conclusion: Advertising of e-cigarettes in the media should be regulated because there is still scarce scientific evidence about the usefulness and harmful effects of these devices.

Keywords : Electronic cigarettes; e-cigarettes; Awareness; Cross-sectional study; Advertisement.

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