Rise of E-Cigarettes: Implications for Public Health and Policy

Abstract

Background: Recent proliferation of e-cigarettes has triggered global public health debates. In Bangladesh, rising use in tertiary hospitals emphasizes urgency to assess implications for health policy. Objective: To critically evaluate the impact of e-cigarette, use on public health outcomes and policy formulation in a multi-center tertiary hospital setting in Bangladesh, focusing on prevalence, risk factors, and socio-economic influences. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to June 2017 at three tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh, involving 132 participants. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and clinical assessments. Statistical analyses—including chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression—evaluated associations between e-cigarette use, health outcomes, and demographic variables. Advanced modeling refined accurate risk estimates and adjusted for confounders. Results: Findings revealed that 48% of participants reported regular e-cigarette use. Among users, 62% exhibited respiratory symptoms compared to 27% among non-users, yielding a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Logistic regression indicated that e-cigarette users were 2.3 times more likely to develop adverse health outcomes. Additionally, socio-economic status significantly influenced usage patterns, with 55% of low-income individuals using e-cigarettes. Calculated risk ratios demonstrated a 1.8-fold increase in cardiovascular issues among users. Calculated models further verified these associations with rigorous statistical significance. Overall, the study confirms a robust association between e-cigarette consumption and heightened health risks. Conclusion: In the study confirms that e-cigarette use is significantly associated with adverse health outcomes. Enhanced regulatory frameworks and targeted public health interventions are imperative to mitigate these risks effectively.