E-cigarette use in Brazil—prevalence and associated factors in a national cross-sectional study of 16,093 adults: a short communication

BACKGROUND: Monitoring tobacco consumption is important for supporting national and global agendas and commitments. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and sociodemographic and geographic factors associated with e-cigarette use in Brazil, using data from Vigitel 2023. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using secondary data from Vigitel 2023. METHODS: Sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, education, and ethnicity), geographic location, and e-cigarette use were analyzed. Descriptive analyses were performed using Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Additionally, weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent associations between sociodemographic factors and current e-cigarette use. Post-stratification weights were applied, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated. RESULTS: Among 16,093 adults, the prevalence of current e-cigarette use was 5.55%. In the adjusted model, younger age was strongly associated with use (aOR per year increase = 0.93; 95% CI 0.92-0.94; p < 1). Men had higher odds of use than women (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.12-1.6; p < 0.01). Educational level was not independently associated with usage. Caucasian individuals had higher odds compared to mixed-race individuals (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.05-1.58; p = 0.015). Residents of the southern region showed increased odds (aOR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.1-1.99). CONCLUSION: Current e-cigarette use in Brazil is independently associated with younger age, male sex, Caucasian ethnicity, and residence in southern Brazil. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening public policies that regulate and control these devices as well as educational campaigns targeting high-risk groups.