Associations between vape dependence and psychological distress among a sample of Indian university students

Background Vape use is increasingly visible among university students worldwide and has been linked to psychological distress. Despite regulatory restrictions on the manufacture and sale of vapes in India, vape use continues among Indian youth, raising concerns regarding its potential mental health impact. This study aimed to estimate the sample proportion of self-reported vape use and examine associations between vape dependence, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Indian university students.Method Using a cross-sectional, web-based survey and a convenience sampling approach, 342 self-identified Indian university students (Mage = 21.94 years) completed measures assessing vape dependence, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.Results Findings revealed that 41.2% (n = 141) of participants reported current vape use. Female and postgraduate students reported significantly higher proportions of vape use compared with male and undergraduate students. Among participants reporting vape use, vape dependence was positively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Participants reporting vape use also demonstrated significantly higher anxiety and depressive symptoms than non-users. In multiple regression analyses, vape dependence remained significantly associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms after adjusting for age, gender, and academic level.Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for campus-level interventions that address both nicotine dependence and psychological well-being among university students.