Electronic cigarettes smoking by teenagers in Russia during the 2019—2020 and 2023—2024 yrs

The problem of electronic cigarette smoking is now becoming increasingly relevant. A pronounced increase in e-cigarette users among young adults and adolescents is noted. Objective. To perform a comparative analysis of the rate of e-cigarette smoking by Russian urban adolescents aged 15—17 in 2019—2020 and 2023—2024, and assess the trends. Materials and methods. Data from conducted in 2019—2020 and 2023—2024 were used. In 2019—2020, 14.084 adolescents were interviewed, including 6.535 (46.4%) males and 7.549 (53.6%) females. In 2023—2024, 13.556 adolescents were interviewed, including 7.571 (55.8%) males and 5.985 (44.2%) females. Results. Data analysis showed that the prevalence of e-cigarette smoking in adolescents was 27.0% among males and 23.7% among females. The most common reason for smoking electronic cigarettes in adolescents, «enjoying the sensations and aroma», changed to «habit». The peak of introduction to smoking electronic cigarettes in males shifted to the age of 15—16 years, and in females, it remained the same (15—16 years). In Russia, many studies have been conducted on the epidemiological aspects of smoking electronic cigarettes by adolescents and young adults. Despite differences in sampling methods, the studies’ results show the same tendency toward increased frequency of smoking electronic cigarettes. Conclusion. During the period under review, the prevalence of e-cigarette smoking among adolescents increased by more than 3 times, and daily smoking among males by 8 times and among females by more than 10 times. The hierarchy of the main reasons for smoking electronic cigarettes has changed: the first place was taken by «habit». The increase in adolescents’ awareness of the dangers of electronic cigarettes, in most cases, is formal and does not prevent their introduction to smoking.