HOW DO USERS PERCEIVE E-CIGARETTES – A PILOT OF QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY.

Introduction and Objective Since 2004 when e-cigarettes had been invented, their sales increased rapidly. In 2014 over $6 billion were spent on electronic cigarettes, despite lack of evidence of their effectiveness in tobacco cessation. Patients around the world may be not aware of the fact that e-cigarettes are not an evidence-based treatment for nicotine addiction. The aim of this study was to search for opinions of Polish e-cigarettes users. Method Especially prepared web-based questionnaire was prepared including questions about electronic cigarettes. Participants who received the link to questionnaire were asked about their opinions on e-cigarettes, whether they were former cigarette smokers, how long did they smoke e-cigarettes, do they perceive e-cigarettes as harmful or addictive. Results and Conclusions In the moment of abstract submission only preliminary results (N=30) are available as the questionnaire is ongoing. Most (93,3%) of participants heard about e-cigarettes, 45,5% of former smokers tried to quit smoking with e-cigarette, 75,3% of e-cigarette smokers claimed its adverse effects: mainly dryness in mouth (48,9%). Small concentration of nicotine in e-cigarettes was the major reason for survey participants to return to smoking. Preliminary results reveal that e-cigarettes are perceived as a method of smoking cessation although not evidence-based. Final results of at least 500 unique participants are planned to be presented during the conference.