Awareness and Perception of Nicotine Pouches and E-Cigarettes among Dental Students in Lahore
Eefa Manzar, Aliza Hassan Zaidi, Allahabukhsh Muhammad, Hammad Hassan, Mian Salman Aziz, Wardah Anwar, Muhammad Saad Ullah, Amina Tariq
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ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was therefore, to
assess the awareness and perception of dental students regarding these
products, which are rapidly being marketed in Pakistan.
Methods: The study was cross-sectional, close-ended
questionnaire based and helped the investigators to compare the awareness and
perception of dental students regarding nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes.
Students in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and final year of nine dental colleges in Lahore city
were targeted to fill the questionnaire via convenience sampling and Microsoft
Excel was used to analyze the results obtained.
Results: More than 70% of the participants were aware
of nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. However, very few participants had ever
used them. Almost 1/3rd of the participants
believed that both nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes are less harmful and less
addictive than regular cigarettes and can help quit smoking.
Conclusion: Generally, people were better aware of
e-cigarettes and considered them less harmful and less addictive compared to
NPs while NPs were considered as a better alternative to help quit smoking.
Keywords: Nicotine pouches, E-cigarettes, new nicotine
products, awareness, perception