BACKGROUND: Among the 160 million people living here in Bangladesh 37.8 million people are habituated with the use case of tobacco. There are currently 0.2% of electronic cigarette users in Bangladesh. In all, 56.2% of adult men and women use e-cigarettes but are considering giving it up (Uddin et al., 2019). This study was conducted to identify and explain the different factors that influence how young people of various age cohorts consume E-cigarettes and to describe the complex reasons behind these differences.
METHODS: The study used a mixed-methods approach, conducting qualitative focus groups and quantitative surveys with young people aged 16-19, 20-24, and 25-28 in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to get the data of 444 participants in the quantitative part—222 e-cigarette users and 222 non-users—while nine focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data to understand individual experiences and viewpoints better. Descriptive statistics, multivariate regression analysis, and Pearson’s chi-square test were completed to analyze the data.
RESULTS: The results show that exposure of friends is the main factor of influencing e-cigarette use, which is thought to be a less dangerous option than smoking. Dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes is common, with over half of the users consuming nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. Accessibility, marketing, and flavor diversity are also important factors. Perceptions and usage habits vary significantly by age group, with younger cohorts being more likely to view vaping as a modern, safer alternative to smoking.
CONCLUSIONS: The report presents the need for holistic public health plans and regulatory mechanisms that are suitable for the different young populations in Bangladesh. Understanding the complex views and factors affecting the use of e-cigarettes by the youth would foster the development of better public health treatments and policies that are against the rising trend of consumption of e-cigarettes.