Differences in quality of life among college student electronic cigarette users

<em>Purpose</em>: The purpose of this study was to explore an association between e-cigarette use and Quality of Life (QOL) among college students. <em>Methods</em>: During February 2016, 1,132 students completed an online survey that included measures of tobacco use and the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S. Lee Ridner, Rachel J. Keith, Kandi L. Walker, Joy L. Hart, Karen S. Newton, Timothy N. Crawford
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIMS Press 2018-12-01
Series:AIMS Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.aimspress.com/article/10.3934/publichealth.2018.4.454/fulltext.html
Description
Summary:<em>Purpose</em>: The purpose of this study was to explore an association between e-cigarette use and Quality of Life (QOL) among college students. <em>Methods</em>: During February 2016, 1,132 students completed an online survey that included measures of tobacco use and the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. Differences were tested using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and ANOVA, and regression was used to assess possible relationships. <em>Results</em>: E-cigarettes were used by 6.97% of the participants, either solo or along with traditional cigarettes. Bivariate analyses suggest that male college students are more likely than females to use e-cigarettes, either solo or in combination with traditional cigarettes (χ<sup>2</sup> =19.4, <em>P</em> &lt; .01). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students are more likely than heterosexual students to use traditional cigarettes, either solo or in combination with e-cigarettes (χ<sup>2 </sup>= 32.9, <em>P</em> &lt; .01). Multivariate models suggest that for every 10-unit increase in overall QOL, psychological well-being, social relations or environmental health the adjusted odds of being a sole cigarette user were significantly lower (all, <em>P</em> &lt; .01), respectively. For every 10-unit increase in psychological well-being the adjusted odds of being a dual user was significantly lower (OR = .83, <em>P</em> = .026). <em>Conclusions</em>: Findings indicate that lower quality of life appears to be connected to tobacco use.
ISSN:2327-8994