Knowledge and use of e-cigarette among nursing students in North-Eastern Italy

Background: There is considerable debate about the prevalence of e-cigarettes, and its association with tobacco smoking. Aims: To study the diffusion of e-cigarettes among nursing students in North-Eastern Italy and the association with tobacco smoking. Methods: In September 2015 a questionnaire on smoking habits, including e-cigarette, was administered to 2020 nursing students, attending courses organized by the University of Verona in 5 centers (Bolzano, Trento, Verona, Vicenza, Legnago) in North-Eastern Italy. 1474 (73%) students answered the questionnaire. Most responders (77.1%) were female and mean(SD) age was 23.2(4.2) years. Results: Nearly all students (94.7%) had heard about e-cigarettes. About one third (30.3%) had ever used e-cigarettes but only 2.1% in the last month. Very few (21/1018=2.1%) among those who had never used e-cigarettes, were willing to try them. Prevalence values were much higher for tobacco smoking: indeed 74.6% of responders reported to be ever smokers, and 40.6% to be current tobacco smokers, either occasional or regular. A strong association was observed between tobacco smoking and e-cigarette use: ever use of e-cigarettes was reported by 57.1% (337/590) of current tobacco smokers, by 18.7% (91/488) of past tobacco smokers and by 1.8% (6/340) of never smokers. Of note, only three students reported to have completely stopped smoking thanks to e-cigarette. Conclusion: Use of e-cigarettes seem to be rather rare among Italian nursing students, and mainly restricted to current smokers. E-cigarette does not seem useful to promote smoking cessation.