Background
To aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived possibility of purchasing cigarettes and e-cigarette experience among adolescents who currently smoke cigarettes.
Methods
Data were derived from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey; a total of 29,169 current smokers participated. The dependent variable was e-cigarette experience in the previous month. Analyses included χ² test and survey logistic regression.
Results
A perceived easy possibility of purchasing cigarettes increased the odds of e-cigarette experience (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.33) compared to when it was perceived as impossible. An easy possibility of purchasing cigarettes increased the odds of e-cigarettes experience among males aged 12–15 or 17 years compared to when it was impossible to purchase cigarettes.
Conclusion
A perceived easy possibility of purchasing cigarettes was more likely to increase e-cigarette experience among adolescents. Laws restricting adolescents’ access to e-cigarettes must be strengthened.

Citations

• Vaping—An Emerging Threat to Youngsters of Pakistan
  Nazish Jaffar, Hafiza Tooba Siddiqui, Huda Amin, Md Ariful Haque
  Addiction Biology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Underage E-Cigarette Purchasing and Vaping Progression Among Young Adults
  Alyssa F. Harlow, Rob S. McConnell, Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis
  Journal of Adolescent Health.2023; 72(2): 260.     CrossRef
• The Impact of Heated Tobacco Products on Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Use, and Tobacco Sales in South Korea
  Cheol Min Lee
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2020; 41(5): 273.     CrossRef