Tobacco and E-Cigarette Use among Thai Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional National Survey, 2021

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of tobacco and e-cigarette use, attitudes toward tobacco control, training on tobacco control in the dental curriculum, and attitudes toward e-cigarette use among Thai dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey among 1968 Thai dental students was conducted in 2021. The questionnaire was modified from the Global Health Professions Student Survey with information collected on tobacco products, e-cigarette use, attitudes, and training toward tobacco control in the dental curriculum and personal information (e.g., sex, course year, regions, and types of dental schools). Descriptive analyses and χ(2) tests were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco and e-cigarette use among Thai dental students was 4.2%. Out of current users, 95% used e-cigarettes and 36.6% used multiple products, with a 1.7% prevalence of conventional cigarettes and other forms of tobacco use. Tobacco and e-cigarette use was higher in male than female dental students and was not associated with course year, region, and type of dental school. CONCLUSIONS: A small percentage of Thai dental students used tobacco or e-cigarettes, with the majority of current tobacco users being e-cigarette users. Thai dental students generally had a favorable view of tobacco control and a negative view of e-cigarette use. However, fewer than half of the surveyed students had received training in tobacco cessation therapy.