Factors associated with electronic cigarettes use among adolescents in Jakarta, Indonesia

Purpose This study aimed to examine factors associated with electronic cigarette use among adolescents aged 15-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach The study was a school-based survey involving 1,318 students from 14 high schools in Jakarta. A multistage cluster sampling methodology was used. The authors used the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression to examine the association between electronic cigarette use and sociodemographic, social influences, health risk perceptions, availability, affordability and conventional cigarette smoking status. Findings Overall, 6.3% of females and 29% of males reported ever having used electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarette use was independently associated with sex, school locations, conventional cigarette smoking status, peer use, availability and perceptions that electronic cigarettes aid conventional cigarette smoking cessation. Compared with non-smokers, lifetime (AOR: 8.740, 95% CI: 5.126-14.901) and current conventional cigarette smokers (AOR: 18.380, 95% CI: 10.577-31.938) were more likely to use electronic cigarettes. Social implications The use of electronic cigarettes among adolescents was considerably high in this study. Therefore, the tobacco control policy should be extended to regulate the marketing and use of all types of tobacco products and not just conventional cigarettes. Originality/value The study explored beyond individual lifestyle factors that contributed to electronic cigarette use in Indonesia such as affordability, school locations and availability of electronic cigarettes. These issues have not been specifically discussed in previous studies.