Beliefs and Perceptions of Negative and Positive Aspects Associated With E-Cigarette Use in Young Adults of Hail City, Northwestern Saudi Arabia

Objectives Studies on e-cigarettes in Northwestern Saudi Arabia, particularly in the Hail Region, are limited despite their growing popularity among young adults. This study aims to investigate the beliefs and perceptions of young adults in Hail City, Northwestern Saudi Arabia, regarding the positive and negative aspects of e-cigarettes, and to examine possible associations between these perceptions and selected demographic variables such as age and marital status. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted. Participants aged 18 to 34 were recruited via convenience sampling from university students and social networks. The questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms. Results A total of 343 participants were included. Social media (n=186, 54.2%) and friends (n=102, 29.7%) were the primary sources of e-cigarette information. Among the participants, 47.8% (n=164) who held negative perceptions about e-cigarettes expressed support for quitting vaping or discouraging its use. In contrast, 26.5% (n=91) found vaping more satisfying than smoking tobacco. A significant proportion (79.3%, n=272) believed that vaping in public harms nonsmokers, and 54.5% (n=187) thought vaping was harmful to health. Additionally, 50.4% (n=173) considered e-cigarettes as hazardous as regular cigarettes. Significant correlations were found between age, marital status, and beliefs about vaping's benefits (p < 0.05). Conclusion The study highlights perceptions of e-cigarettes among youth in Hail City, revealing susceptibility to initiation despite awareness of harms. Findings of this study recommend the need for continuous monitoring, targeted interventions, and leveraging social media for education. A coordinated public health approach is crucial to prevent use, promote cessation, and protect young individuals from e-cigarettes.