[Knowledge of electronic cigarettes and their perceived harmfulness among the adult population in Barcelona (Spain)]

Abstract

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: Advertisement; Awareness; Cigarrillo electrónico; Conocimiento; Cross-sectional study; Electronic cigarettes; Estudio transversal; Publicidad; e-cigarettes; e-cigarrillo.