BACKGROUND: E-cigarettes are popular among youth due to their attractive designs and flavors. However, e-cigarettes contain harmful substances that cause negative health effects (NHE). Currently, there is limited data available on the prevalence of these NHE following vaping. This study aims to investigate the NHE experienced by Dutch e-cigarette users.
METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional survey among individuals aged 13 and older who indicated to use e-cigarettes at least monthly. Participants were asked about their vaping behavior and if they had experienced any of 15 predefined NHE after or due to vaping (Tooth/gum problems, mouth irritation, throat irritation, coughing, hoarseness, hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, sore throat, chest pressure, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, change in appetite, negative thoughts), and were provided an option to indicate any additional experienced NHE.
RESULTS: A total of 1005 ((39% male, 60% female, 1% other) respondents with an average age of 29 years old (range 13-99) participated in the study. Participants reported vaping frequencies of daily (27%), weekly (30%), or monthly (43%), and the plurality (46%) had been vaping for 1 to 2 years. Notably, 78% of respondents experienced NHE related to vaping. Among these, 68% reported experiencing more than one NHE, with an average of 7 NHE per affected respondent. The most commonly reported NHE were coughing (64%), throat irritation (52%), and sore throat (47%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals a high prevalence of negative health effects among e-cigarette users, with a substantial proportion of users experiencing multiple symptoms. These results emphasize the need for increased awareness of NHE and further research into the long-term health implications of vaping, particularly among younger populations. The insights gained from this study should guide policy and educational efforts aimed at reducing e-cigarette use and mitigating its associated health risks.