Abstract

Background: The prevalence of vape smoking among young adults, including university students, has risen globally, raising concerns about potential health risks. This study aimed to determine vape smoking awareness among the students of Al-Baha University in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a structured electronic survey that was distributed to students, with 405 participants included in the final analysis. The inclusion criteria required that students be aged 18 to 25 and enrolled at Al-Baha University; any students who were outside of this age range or not currently enrolled were excluded.
Results: The study found that 93.6% (n = 379) of the participants had heard of vape smoking, with 70.4% (n = 285) demonstrating a high level of awareness regarding vape smoking risks. Notably, 13.3% (n = 54) reported vape smoking prevalence, with gender differences observed. However, no statistically significant association was found between awareness levels and sociodemographic characteristics.
Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of increasing awareness about the hazards of vape smoking, especially among young adults. The findings highlighted the need for targeted educational campaigns and regulatory measures to address the rising prevalence of vape smoking among university students in Saudi Arabia.

Key words: Vape smoking, electric smoking, young adults, university students, awareness, Saudi Arabia