Electronic cigarettes use among secondary school students in Slovenia

Background: Electronic cigarettes (EC) have gained popularity in Slovenia, especially among youth. The aim of our study is to describe the main characteristics of EC use among 2nd year students from secondary schools in Slovenia and to show trends in use of EC in this population group.
Methods: A convenience sample of 2nd year students from secondary schools in Slovenia was included in the study, which was carried out between 15th of November and 15th of December 2023. Just over 1200 students completed the online questionnaire which contained questions on ever and current use of EC, age at first use and reasons for the first use, brand and type of EC used, type of flavour used, use of nicotine, cannabis or other substances in EC, the way students get the EC they use, their perceived availability of EC, purchase attempts, reactions of sellers and types of points of sales where they buy EC. The students were also asked about their opinions on prices of EC, acceptability of use, harmfulness and addictiveness of EC and also observations of EC use on school premises. Among EC users the level of addiction with questions on cravings and time when they first use EC after they wake up was also assessed. Before 2023, this study was already carried out in 2017, 2018 and 2021. The questionnaires from previous waves of the study differ from the one in 2023 as there are less questions on EU use, but they included the questions on ever and current use of EC, accessibility and purchases, so the percentages will be compared between all three waves of the study. Use of nicotine and cannabis in EC was already assessed in the 2018 and 2021 waves of the study, so we will also be able to compare data with those from 2023.
Results: Previous studies from Slovenia showed that EC use has been increasing among youth in Slovenia, which is concerning. The results of this study will show the most recent situation in the area of EC use in Slovenia among youth and add valuable additional information gathered for the first time. 
Conclusions: This information will be used in prevention activities and will support new legal measures in Slovenia for decreasing EC use among youth.