Motivation for Vaping Experimentation Among Young Adults in Jeddah City

Background: Vapes have gained popularity, and are often marketed as safer options to traditional cigarettes or as aids for quitting smoking. Despite their widespread use, there is still significant confusion and concern about their impact, particularly on young adults. This research aims to comprehend why young adults in Jeddah City experiment with vaping, considering the rapid expansion of the vape industry and the absence of consistent regulations. Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on young adults residing in Jeddah City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A convenience non-probability sampling method was employed to recruit participants. The calculated sample size was determined to be 377. Participants included were young adults aged 18-24 living in Jeddah City with vaping experience. The study used an electronic questionnaire adapted from the PATH (Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health) survey. The questionnaire contained 20 questions covering various domains related to the research objectives. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center. All data were handled with strict confidentiality. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: The outcomes showed that a considerable number of participants (41.9%) use vapes where smoking is not allowed, and 44.2% believe that vapes can help in quitting smoking. Furthermore, 38.5% equate vaping with smoking traditional cigarettes, while 41.6% see it as less harmful. Vaping had high social acceptance, with 71.7% considering it more socially acceptable than smoking. Influences from significant individuals in their lives led 56.8% of participants to start vaping, and 48.7% enjoyed vaping in social settings. The affordability and attractive flavors of vapes also played a crucial role, with 87.2% enjoying the flavors and 26.7% citing cost as a factor. Additionally, 13.4% were influenced by social media advertisements and 11.8% by celebrities. Conclusions: These findings highlight the significance of addressing misunderstandings about the safety of vaping and its social appeal among young adults. Public health campaigns and regulations are necessary to provide clear information about the risks of vaping and to discourage its use among young adults. By understanding the motivations behind vaping, this study aims to inform improved public health strategies and policies to safeguard the well-being of young adults.