Evolution of the prevalence of electronic cigarette during 2014-2018 and IQOS use in 2018 in Galicia

Abstract

Background: Despite the risks associated with the use of new forms of tobacco consumption, such as electronic cigarettes or heated tobacco products such as IQOS (I Quit Ordinary Smoking), few studies have estimated the prevalence of use at the population level. The aims of this study were to describe, in Galicia, the evolution of the prevalence of the use of electronic cigarettes and the reasons for its use in the period 2014-2018, and the use and knowledge of IQOS in 2018.

Methods: The information analyzed comes from 4 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2014 (n=7,874), 2015 (n=7,908), 2017 (n=7,841) and 2018 (n=7,853) within the framework of the Information System on Risk Behaviors (SICRI), being the target population Galicians aged 16 and over. Estimates of prevalence of consumption, the devices knowledge and reasons for use are shown accompanied with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), globally, by gender, age group and tobacco consumption.

Results: In the period under study, the prevalence of electronic cigarette use remained stable. In 2018 it was estimated at 0.7% (0.5-0.9). In 2017, the only year in which changes were observed, it fell to 0.3% (0.2-0.4). Prevalence of electronic cigarette use among the population aged 16 to 24 increased from 0.8% in 2014 to 2.1% in 2018. The main reason for using electronic cigarettes was to quit smoking. The prevalence of the IQOS use at the time study (2018) was 0.1% (0.01-0.15) and 4.2% (3.7-4.7) of the Galicians knew what the IQOS was.

Conclusions: In Galicia, the prevalence of electronic cigarette and IQOS use is low, although an increase was observed among the population aged 16-24 between 2014 and 2018. Surveillance of use at the population level should not be neglected.