An Analysis of Public Perception and Concern Toward Electronic Cigarettes: Exploring Attitudes and Profiles

Lisha Jiang; Shanzun Wei; Alen Sam Saji; Jue Li; Guowei Che

doi:10.7759/cureus.47983

An Analysis of Public Perception and Concern Toward Electronic Cigarettes: Exploring Attitudes and Profiles

Cureus. 2023 Oct 30;15(10):e47983. doi: 10.7759/cureus.47983. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Authors

Lisha Jiang¹, Shanzun Wei², Alen Sam Saji³, Jue Li⁴, Guowei Che⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oncology, Day Surgery Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, CHN.
² Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, CHN.
³ Department of Internal Medicine, Day Surgery Center, West China Medical School of Sichuan University, Chengdu, CHN.
⁴ Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lung Cancer Center, West China Medical School of Sichuan University, Chengdu, CHN.
⁵ Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, CHN.

Abstract

Introduction The emergence of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) poses a new challenge to tobacco control efforts. With their increasing popularity, particularly among youth, public concerns have been raised in Mainland China. Further investigation is necessary to fully understand the safety and potential adverse effects of e-cigarettes. Methods The Baidu search index (BSI) was employed using e-cigarette related terms from January 1, 2011, to April 4, 2022. The search volume for each term was recorded and analyzed for the search trend module, geodemographic module, search-demand module, regional preferences, demographic preferences, and user demand. Results According to our analysis, the total BSI for the 18 e-cigarette related search keywords was 39,027,819. The average annual percentage change of BSI indicated an upward trend for each of these categories, including health issues (p < 0.05), definition (p < 0.05), product and promotions (p < 0.05), and policy and regulations. Of all inquiries, 59.38% originated from females and 40.62% from males. The total valid BSI for e-cigarette related words was 165,076,588, and 11.59% of all search inquiries were from individuals aged 19 years and younger. Our analysis also revealed that the public's primary concerns regarding e-cigarettes were related to their quality and potential health issues. Conclusions E-cigarettes enjoy great popularity nationwide, but product quality and safety are major public concerns. Regulation of e-cigarettes for their standard production, quality control, advertisement, and target customers should be implemented promptly, and the public needs to have a clear perception of e-cigarettes, especially adolescents. E-cigarette related health damages or consequences require further investigation, and advertisements and promotions for e-cigarettes should be strictly controlled by the government.

Keywords: digital health tools; e-cigarettes; e-smoking; electronic cigarettes; lung cancer; lung cancer prevention; smoking tobacco; vaping.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 72104161) and Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province (NO. 2023NSFSC1048)