Exploring the intention to use e-cigarettes and its influencing factors among Thai non-formal education students: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION Non-formal education students are a vulnerable group due to social influences and varying health literacy.However, evidence on their intention to use e-cigarettes and influencing factors is limited.This study aimed to investigate these intentions and associated factors among students in Bangkok, Thailand.METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted among non-formal education students in Bangkok, Central Thailand, aged 13-24 years, who had never used e-cigarettes.A total of 116 participants were included in the study.Data were collected between 1 and 15 August 2025 using a self-administered structured questionnaire designed to assess knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to use e-cigarettes, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were applied to identify factors associated with the intention to use e-cigarettes.RESULTS Only 2.6% of participants reported an intention to use e-cigarettes, 6.90% indicated that they might use them in the future, while 90.52% reported no intention to use e-cigarettes.Most participants demonstrated high knowledge of e-cigarettes (62.07%) and negative attitudes toward use (63.79%).Subjective norms were rated high (59.48%),and perceived behavioral control was very high (48.28%).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that attitudes (β=0.223;95% CI: 0.03-0.41,p=0.025) and subjective norms (β=0.211;95% CI: 0.02-0.39,p=0.032) had significant positive effects on the intention to use e-cigarettes.Overall, the model explained 15.0% of the variance (R 2 =0.150, adjusted R 2 =0.119;F=4.90, p=0.001).CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the importance of fostering negative attitudes toward e-cigarette use and reducing the influence of subjective norms among students.However, as this study employed a cross-sectional design, further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm these relationships and provide stronger evidence for the prevention of e-cigarette use among nonformal education students.