2025, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C

author(s)
Beulah G, Manonmani, Nivetha J, Petchiyammal P, Pragathy M, Priyamol P Thomas, Sheethal PV, Rakshana R, Sabari Nathan M, Sathiya Seelan K and Shergin F

abstract
E-cigarette use has become an emerging public health concern, particularly among young adults and college students. This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding e-cigarettes and their health effects among male students in a selected Institution, Coimbatore. A descriptive research design was employed, and 100 male students were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of demographic variables and 20 multiple-choice questions assessing knowledge levels. Ethical approval was obtained, and verbal consent was secured from participants before data collection. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage were used to analyze demographic characteristics and knowledge levels, while the chi-square test was applied to assess the association between demographic variables and knowledge levels. The study findings revealed that the majority of students (64.0%) were below 20 years of age, and most (69.0%) were undergraduate students. In terms of knowledge assessment, 59.0% had an average level of knowledge, 32.0% had poor knowledge, and only 9.0% had good knowledge about e-cigarettes and their health effects. More than half of the students had poor knowledge in the aspects of risk factors (68.0%), components (49.0%), legal aspects (46.0%), and health effects (57.0%) of e-cigarettes. A significant association (P = 0.026) was found between family income and knowledge levels, suggesting that financial background influenced awareness. Also, prior use of e-cigarettes was significantly associated with knowledge levels (P = 0.009), indicating that students who had used e-cigarettes had a higher awareness of their effects. The study concludes that the majority of students had moderate knowledge about e-cigarettes, but a considerable lack of awareness regarding their risks, components, and legal aspects. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance awareness about e-cigarettes and their health consequences.