Background
E-cigarettes appear to be growing in popularity among young adults and schoolchildren in Ireland. A national survey conducted in 2016 found that 34% of 17–18-year-olds in Ireland had tried e-cigarettes . The exact proportion of young adults who currently use e-cigarettes in Ireland is unknown, however the HSE have estimated based on surveys that 1 in 5 adolescents use e-cigarettes. This is a growing and worrying trend for several reasons, such as, the negative health effects of e-cigarette products on respiratory, cardiovascular system and on brain health- as well as the addictiveness associated with nicotine exposure in adolescence towards being an established smoker.
Aim
The over-arching aim of this research is to investigate the knowledge and risk perception of e-cigarette use among third level students in the Republic of Ireland.
Objectives
The main objectives of this research are, firstly, to estimate the proportion of third level students who currently use e-cigarettes. The second objective is to gain a clearer understanding of the knowledge and attitudes surrounding e-cigarettes amongst those who use e-cigarettes. The third objective is to gauge the risk perception that current e-cigarette users have regarding the use of e-cigarettes among this student cohort. Finally, this research aims to provide recommendations towards informing policymaking locally and nationally.
What the work is expected to establish
The study findings will establish risk perception of e-cigarettes among a vulnerable population, who are at risk of transitioning to an established smoker during the life course. The findings will establish baseline information for monitoring patterns among this student cohort for future interventions. The findings will estimate the burden and prevalence of e-cigarette use among third-level students informing the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme towards nicotine-free university campuses. Overall, the study findings are crucially important for promoting population health and well-being in Ireland.
