E-cigarette use among Serbian adults: prevalence and user characteristics

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to report the prevalence and characteristics of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users in order to inform an appropriate response to this emerging challenge in tobacco control.

METHODS: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2014 that used computer-assisted interviewing in a representative sample of 5385 Serbian adults age 18-64 years.

RESULTS: Lifetime e-cigarette use and current use was reported by 9.6 and 2 % of adults, respectively. Younger adults had a higher prevalence of both lifetime and current use. Females were more likely to be current e-cigarette users than males. The majority of ever and current e-cigarette users were current or past cigarette smokers, but lifetime use was reported by non-smokers as well.

CONCLUSIONS: Electronic cigarettes are popular in Serbia; one in ten adults had tried them at least once. Because females and young adults were more likely to use e-cigarettes, a targeted response in these specific groups is needed. A standardised methodology for monitoring e-cigarette use should be established and surveys exploring motives for and attitudes towards e-cigarettes use should be conducted.