Determinants of e-cigarette use among adult females in the United Arab Emirates: An emerging public health issue

Background: E-cigarette use has increased among women in the United Arab Emirates, yet limited research has explored the determinants of vaping within this population. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with e-cigarette use among adult females in Dubai and the northern emirates.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 485 women using a validated self-administered questionnaire collecting sociodemographic characteristics, smoking behaviour, and attitudes toward tobacco use. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine associations between e-cigarette use and sociodemographic variables.

Results: The prevalence of e-cigarette use among females was 11.8%, making it one of the most common forms of tobacco use after cigarettes (14.6%) and shisha (10.7%). Significant associations were identified for two key variables. Occupation was significantly associated with e-cigarette use (p < 0.05), with the highest prevalence observed among non-government employees (26.9%) and students (26.9%), followed by self-employed women (13.5%). Retired women reported no use. Emirate of residence also showed a significant association (p < 0.05), with higher usage reported among women residing in Dubai (36.5%) and Sharjah (42.3%), compared to those in the other northern emirates (21.2%). These findings highlight notable geographic and occupational influences on vaping behaviour.

In contrast, several demographic variables demonstrated no statistically significant association (NS) with e-cigarette use, including age, education level, marital status, and nationality, indicating that these factors do not independently predict vaping behaviour among females in this population. Beyond demographics, several behavioural and psychosocial factors emerged as important qualitative influences. Curiosity, social acceptability, peer visibility, stress relief, emotional regulation, and the appeal of flavoured products were frequently cited motivations for initiation and continued use. Media exposure and perceived lower harm compared to cigarettes also contributed to uptake. Despite awareness of general smoking harms, many women lacked detailed knowledge regarding specific health risks of vaping.

Conclusion: E-cigarette use among women in the UAE is shaped primarily by occupation and emirate of residence, the only variables showing statistically significant associations with vaping behaviour. Other demographic factors were not significantly related to usage. The behavioural drivers identified point toward social and emotional motives influencing uptake rather than traditional demographic predictors. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions focusing on young working women, students, and residents of Dubai and Sharjah. Public health initiatives should address misconceptions regarding safety, strengthen awareness of specific health risks, and regulate social and media influences that promote vaping among females.

Prof. Jayadevan Sreedharan is Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Gulf Medical University, Ajman, and Director of the Thumbay Institute of Population Health. He holds PhDs in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, plus qualifications in cancer prevention and health professions education. An Adjunct Professor at the University of Arizona and UICC Fellow, he has over 200 scholarly outputs spanning non-communicable diseases, cancer epidemiology, tobacco control, public health, advanced methods, and medical education. He is active in mentoring doctoral and postgraduate students, academic program development, accreditation, funded research, international collaboration, community engagement, and regional public health capacity building through teaching, leadership, and research.