Knowledge and Awareness Level Among Saudi Population About the Risks of Electronic-Cigarettes in Causing Cardiovascular Diseases

Electronic cigarettes are devices used to provide nicotine to the body, known as Vaping. It was supposed to serve as a way to quit smoking. Those who reported e-cigarette-only use were more likely to report chest pain, palpitations, CAD, and arrhythmia. Furthermore, other studies where e-cigarette use was associated with cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias and hypertension. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness level of the Saudi population about the risks of e-cigarettes in causing cardiovascular diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia using a self-designed standardized questionnaire. The study included 1062 participants; 57.9% of them were females, and 42.1% were males. 50.4% are aged between 20 and 30 years old. 9.3% of participants were e-cigarette smokers, while 7.6% were tobacco smokers. 8.9% of participants use it for more than one year. 4.7% of participants think that e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes. 55.7% of participants had good knowledge of the effects of e-cigarettes on cardiovascular disease, 39.7% had moderate knowledge, and 4.5% had poor knowledge. The study illustrates that the Saudi population had an acceptable knowledge of the effects of electronic cigarettes on the cardiovascular system. A significant association was found between knowledge scores, age, and gender of participants. This study suggests the need for approaches designed to inform Saudi adults about the potential risks and benefits of e-cigarettes, as well as the dissemination of reliable information or, at the very least, the acknowledgment of the uncertainty regarding the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes.