{
  "abstract": "Background: The global increase in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use represents a significant public health concern, especially among young adults in high-income countries and the Middle East. Although e-cigarette use is rising in Kuwait, comprehensive data regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of university students are limited.\n\nObjective: This study assessed the prevalence of e-cigarette use and identified demographic, social, and cognitive factors associated with its use among students in Kuwait.\n\nMethods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2025 to February 2026 using a stratified one-stage cluster sampling method across public, private, and Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) institutions. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 550 students (57.3% male; mean age 20.89 years) to assess knowledge, attitudes, and patterns of e-cigarette use.\n\nResults: Approximately 50.4% of participants reported ever using e-cigarettes, and 22.5% reported current daily use. Overall knowledge (42%) and attitude scores (47%) were low, reflecting limited awareness of risks and generally non-accepting attitudes. Ever-users demonstrated significantly higher knowledge and more permissive attitudes compared to non-users. Multivariable logistic regression identified having friends who use e-cigarettes as the strongest predictor of use (AOR = 4.53), followed by male gender (AOR = 3.70) and enrollment in PAAET or private universities.\n\nConclusion: The prevalence of e-cigarette use among Kuwaiti students is high relative to regional averages, primarily influenced by social and demographic factors. Public health interventions should extend beyond basic education to address the “knowledge-attitude paradox” and promote stricter regulations, including taxation and retail controls.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Ministry of Health",
    "Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, Kuwait University",
    "Department of Public Health Practice, College of Public Health, Kuwait University",
    "Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Kuwait University"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Fajer AlBarrak"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Saleh Alsarhan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Maryam AlHamad"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Qout Al-Mekhled"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Jenan AlMatrouk"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Sultan E. Alsalahi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Abdulaziz Alhenaidi"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e2mtp90qe5yc7.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpubh.2026.1947592",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13687304",
  "id": "e2mtp90qe5yc7",
  "issns": [
    "2296-2565"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1947592/full",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2737|Smoking Behavior and Cessation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220913612",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13687304?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13687304",
  "pmid": "42922963",
  "published": "2026-10-08",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e2mtp90qe5yc7.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:22Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fpubh.2026.1947592",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1947592/full"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:36Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42922963",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42922963"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2737|Smoking Behavior and Cessation",
      "subfield": "physiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to e-cigarette use among students in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study",
  "title_text": "Prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to e-cigarette use among students in Kuwait: a cross-sectional study",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:36Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e2mtp90qe5yc7",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Public Health",
  "versions": []
}