E-cigarettes and smoking in Irish teens: a logistic regression analysis of current (past 30-day) use of e-cigarettes

Abstract

Aim: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among Irish teenagers has risen significantly. In 2019, prevalence of current use (last 30 days) among 15–17-year-olds was 17.3%. We examine social determinants of adolescent e-cigarette current use. Subject and methods: A stratified random sample of 50 schools in Ireland was surveyed in 2019, part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD), with 3495 students aged 15, 16, and 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression [providing adjusted odds ratios (AORs)] analyses were performed using Stata version 16. Results: Current e-cigarette users were more likely to be male (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI:0.32–0.96, p < .05), to participate in sport (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.05–4.65, p < .05, paternal higher education: AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.00–5.91, p