Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use in individuals with asthma in quebec and ontario, canada

SESSION TITLE: Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/10/2023 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm PURPOSE: E-cigarettes are often marked as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, and individuals with asthma may be attracted to them as a way to reduce their exposure to harmful smoke. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of e-cigarette use in individuals with asthma at the population level. METHODS: The analysis was based on data from 57,545 Canadians aged 12 years or older living in Quebec or Ontario who participated in the 2017-18 Canadian Community Health Survey. Each participant was asked if he/she used an e-cigarette during the past 30 days (“In the past 30 days, did you use an electronic cigarette, also known as an ’e-cigarette’?”), and if he/she had asthma. The prevalence of e-cigarette use was calculated in participants with and without asthma. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for confounders. All the point and variance estimates accounted for complex survey design including multiple stratification, clustering, and unequal selection probability. RESULTS: The prevalence of e-cigarette use was 3.26% overall and was higher in those with asthma (4.46%) than those without (3.16%) (p<0.001). The prevalence was higher in Quebec (3.79%) vs. Ontario (2.95%), in males (4.11%) vs. females (2.44%), and in native Canadians (3.68%) vs. immigrants (1.89%). The prevalence was the highest in youth aged 15-19 years (8.73%) and decreased steadily with age. After adjustment for sex, age, province and immigrant status, the odds ratio for e-cigarette use was 1.37 (95% confidence interval: 1.13, 1.67) for asthma patients compared with those with no asthma. CONCLUSIONS: This study provide evidence at the population level that individuals with asthma are more likely to use electronic cigarettes in Central Canada. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Some studies have suggested that e-cigarette smoking may be harmful to lung function. Quitting smoking altogether is the best option for improving overall health for asthma patients who already have compromised lung function. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Yue Chen