Sfax medical study reveals 33.7% e-cigarette use among adolescents

A medical study conducted in Sfax, Tunisia, reveals that 33.7% of surveyed adolescents use e-cigarettes. The research was carried out between September and October 2024 by physicians from Habib Bourguiba and Hédi Chaker university hospitals, alongside researchers from the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax.

The study involved 980 adolescents with an average age of 15. Findings indicate that the average age for first-time e-cigarette use is 14. Among the participants, 63.6% reside in rural areas and 43.3% come from low socio-economic backgrounds. The primary motivation for use is curiosity, cited by 77.9% of respondents, while 22.1% attributed use to social issues.

Researchers noted that e-cigarette consumption is more prevalent among males and in urban areas. The study also highlighted a potential link between vaping and academic failure. Due to these findings, medical professionals are calling for urgent preventive strategies within schools and increased involvement from families to mitigate the risks of long-term usage.