The intention of college students to use electronic cigarettes: A study based on the theory of innovation diffusion

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to examine the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among college students in Hangzhou, and to analyze the influencing factors of their intention to use e-cigarettes. METHODS Using a stratified cluster sampling method, 775 students from two universities in Hangzhou were selected for an on-site questionnaire survey from March to April 2022. Adjusted logistic regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of use intention, based on innovation diffusion theory. RESULTS Within our sample of college students, 16.5% of students had tried e-cigarettes; 6.32% had used e-cigarettes in the past month, and 8.0% had the intention to use e-cigarettes. There were significant differences in willingness to use e-cigarettes among different genders, economic status, smoking status of close friends around them, and their own use of tobacco and alcohol (p<0.05). The logistic regression model showed that the observability of e-cigarettes (AOR=1.28; p<0.05), personal factors (AOR=1.39; p<0.05), and social systems (AOR=1.63; p<0.05), were all influencing factors of intention to use e-cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS College students in Hangzhou have a high intention to use e-cigarettes, and the impacts of the product itself, individual characteristics and the living environment are crucial. It is necessary to strengthen the promotion of tobacco knowledge at the social and family levels to reduce the occurrence of vaping.