Prevalence and factors associated with electronic cigarette use among secondary school students in Phayao province, Thailand
Journal of Decision Making and Healthcare, Volume 3, Issue 3, December 2026, Pages: 163–170
Prasit Wongsupa
Phayao Provincial Public Health Office, Phayao, Thailand
Wuttipong Yodkham
Phayao Provincial Public Health Office, Phayao, Thailand
Jenjira Namwong
Phayao Provincial Public Health Office, Phayao, Thailand
Debdas Ghosh
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221 005, India
Chawalit Chanintonsongkhla
School of Dentistry, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
Abstract
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among adolescents is increasing in Thailand despite a legal prohibition on sales and importation. Data on prevalence and associated factors among secondary school students in Phayao Province are lacking. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 528 students in Grades 7-12 (Mathayom 1-6) from schools in Phayao Province during the 2024 academic year, selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a validated online questionnaire and analyzed with chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and logistic regression. The prevalence of e-cigarette use was 21.97 % (116/528). Four factors were independently associated with e-cigarette use: below-average academic performance (Adjusted OR = 3.69, 95 % CI: 1.42-9.53), having close friends who use e-cigarettes (Adjusted OR = 3.11, 95 % CI: 1.87-5.19), alcohol consumption more than five times per month (Adjusted OR = 2.63, 95 % CI: 1.08-6.42), and lack of awareness of e-cigarette control laws (Adjusted OR = 2.27, 95 % CI: 1.34-3.86). The design and attractiveness of e-cigarettes, as well as exposure to related media, may also play a role in use behavior, though these factors did not reach statistical significance. E-cigarette use among secondary school students in Phayao Province is common, and peer influence, academic performance, alcohol use, and legal awareness are the strongest associated factors. Health promotion programs should target these high-risk groups, and enforcement of existing e-cigarette control laws should be strengthened.
Cite this Article as
Prasit Wongsupa, Wuttipong Yodkham, Jenjira Namwong, Debdas Ghosh, and Chawalit Chanintonsongkhla, Prevalence and factors associated with electronic cigarette use among secondary school students in Phayao province, Thailand, Journal of Decision Making and Healthcare, 3(3), 163–170, 2026