Table 3_Attitudinal and social factors associated with e-cigarette use among students in formal and non-formal educational settings in Chiang Mai, Thailand.docx

Factors significantly associated with past-3-month e-cigarette use included having close contacts who use e-cigarettes (aOR 5.42, 95% CI 3.54–8.30), and favorable attitudes toward e-cigarettes (aOR 7.88 per interquartile-range increase [score 0 to 5], 95% CI 3.97–15.64; overall p < 0.001). In contrast, higher perceived risk/benefit of e-cigarette use (aOR 0.53 per interquartile-range increase [score 13 to 18], 95% CI 0.35–0.80; overall p = 0.011), and greater legal awareness regarding e-cigarettes (aOR 0.41 per interquartile-range increase [score 10 to 16], 95% CI 0.24–0.71; overall p < 0.001) were associated with reduced odds of e-cigarette use.</p>Conclusion<p>Social environmental factors, attitudes toward e-cigarettes, perceived risk/benefit of e-cigarettes, and legal awareness were associated with e-cigarette use among young people.

These findings may inform evidence-based public health policies and comprehensive prevention strategies aimed at improving risk perception, modifying attitudes toward e-cigarettes, and enhancing knowledge of regulatory frameworks. Future longitudinal intervention studies are needed to evaluate the strategies’ effectiveness.</p>