Abstract
BACKGROUND: The global rise in vaping has become a significant public health concern among the young population. This study aims to investigate vaping behaviours among university students in China. METHODS: Students were selected from eight universities in Yunnan Province. The questionnaire collected baseline characteristics and vaping behaviours. Vapers were classified into vaping only, smoking only, both vaping and smoking, and neither vaping nor smoking. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate prevalence, and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with current vaping and smoking. RESULTS: A total of 2259 students were recruited. The ever, current, and past prevalence rates of vaping among university students were 8.8%, 1.9%, and 6.9%, respectively, whereas the ever, current, and past prevalence rates of smoking were higher, at 20.0%, 8.0%, and 12.8%, respectively. Most students initiated vaping and smoking at a young age. The common reasons for vaping were appealing to flavours (81.0%), preventing smoking relapse (69.2%), and pleasure (69.2%). Among the most popular flavours, fruity was preferred by 53.5% of the students, followed by tobacco and menthol/mint, each accounting for 32.6%. Students vaped at bars/pubs (79.1%), universities (60.5%), and at home (53.5%), with nearly half of smokers obtaining them online, followed by convenience stores. Current vapers had higher levels of nicotine dependence than smokers did (22.9% vs. 3.8%). They had a lower likelihood of quitting combustible smoking (47.1% vs. 64.6%). Multinomial regression analysis revealed that significant factors associated with vaping included a positive attitude toward vaping (RRR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.43–1.96) and a greater number of vapers in their social circle (RRR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.58–3.19). CONCLUSION: University students initiated vaping since they were below the legal age range, had a higher level of nicotine addiction, and perceived vaping as harmless. In addition, they had a low level of knowledge of vaping harm and regulation but a positive attitude towards vaping. This information should be beneficial for curbing vaping in Yunnan.