E-cigarette use in Kuwait: prevalence, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs
type: CreativeWork
description: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a smoking cessation aid or as a permanent replacement for smoking is increasing. The gateway theory states that e-cigarette use might lead to the use of combustible cigarettes by non-smokers, especially by adolescents. The aim of this PhD study was to investigate e-cigarette use by university student populations globally with a focus on UK and Kuwait student populations and their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about e-cigarettes. In addition, the PhD study examined health policy development and production in Kuwait in order to consider and recommend ways in which to inform e-cigarette policy development in Kuwait. Initially, a systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the global prevalence of e-cigarette use in university-level students. Additionally, an online survey was carried out to evaluate the use of e-cigarettes and the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of undergraduate and postgraduate students in Kuwait and Northern Ireland. A complementary analysis of health policy-related documents specific to Kuwait and a narrative literature review were conducted guided by the health policy triangle framework in order to improve understanding about policy development regarding the health of the population in Kuwait. Embase, Medline and Web of Science searches and subsequent screening and appraisal processes resulted in a total of 16 studies being included in the systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis. Overall, results showed that 17% (95% CI: 10% - 26%) of students reported ‘ever use’, 8% (95% CI: 4% - 11%) ‘dual-use’ and 73% (95% CI: 64% - 82%) ‘never use’ across university student populations up to the year 2018. Survey results from 1,105 United Kingdom (UK) and 152 Kuwaiti healthcare students revealed that e-cigarette ever use was higher in UK students (42%) compared to Kuwaiti students (18%). User age and main reasons for e-cigarette use, as well as perceptions of e-cigarette harm,…
abstract: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a smoking cessation aid or as a permanent replacement for smoking is increasing. The gateway theory states that e-cigarette use might lead to the use of combustible cigarettes by non-smokers, especially by adolescents. The aim of this PhD study was to investigate e-cigarette use by university student populations globally with a focus on UK and Kuwait student populations and their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about e-cigarettes. In addition, the PhD study examined health policy development and production in Kuwait in order to consider and recommend ways in which to inform e-cigarette policy development in Kuwait. Initially, a systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the global prevalence of e-cigarette use in university-level students. Additionally, an online survey was carried out to evaluate the use of e-cigarettes and the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of undergraduate and postgraduate students in Kuwait and Northern Ireland. A complementary analysis of health policy-related documents specific to Kuwait and a narrative literature review were conducted guided by the health policy triangle framework in order to improve understanding about policy development regarding the health of the population in Kuwait. Embase, Medline and Web of Science searches and subsequent screening and appraisal processes resulted in a total of 16 studies being included in the systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis. Overall, results showed that 17% (95% CI: 10% - 26%) of students reported ‘ever use’, 8% (95% CI: 4% - 11%) ‘dual-use’ and 73% (95% CI: 64% - 82%) ‘never use’ across university student populations up to the year 2018. Survey results from 1,105 United Kingdom (UK) and 152 Kuwaiti healthcare students revealed that e-cigarette ever use was higher in UK students (42%) compared to Kuwaiti students (18%). User age and main reasons for e-cigarette use, as well as perceptions of e-cigarette harm,…
author: Almutairi, Ghazi M GH N M
language: eng
keywords: E-cigarette, Kuwait, prevalence
date published: 2022-7
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:56:18Z
provider: Queen's University Belfast
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Queen's University Belfast