Predictors of e‑cigarette use among Indonesian youth: Evidence from the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey

Objective: Indonesian youth use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is a growing public health concern, especially given that the country already has one of the highest tobacco burdens in the world. This study aimed to examine the determinants of e‑cigarette use among Indonesian youth.Method: We utilized nationally representative data from the 2019 Indonesian Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). This study analyzed data from 9,992 Indonesian youth to examine the associations between e‑cigarette use and selected covariates, including sex, educational level, money to spend, smoking status, and susceptibility to e‑cigarette use. We performed descriptive statistical analyses and applied multivariate logistic regression to assess the associations between covariates and e‑cigarette use.Results: Male youth had higher odds of e‑cigarette use than females (adjusted odds ratio AOR=4.908, 95% confidence interval (CI)=4.158; 5.793). Senior high school students were more likely to use e‑cigarettes than junior high school students (AOR=1.413, 95% CI=1.223; 1.634). Youth with weekly money spending had greater odds of use (AOR=1.342, 95% CI=1.162; 1.551). Current smokers (AOR=2.749, 95% CI=2.327; 3.248), those with e‑cigarette knowledge (AOR = 4.591, 95% CI = 3.657; 5.763), and those susceptible to use (AOR=13.282, 95% CI=11.269; 15.653) were significantly more likely to report e‑cigarette use.Conclusion: Several factors influence the use of e-cigarettes among Indonesian youth. The exceptionally high odds associated with susceptibility highlight the importance of early prevention initiatives. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive tobacco control policies, including stricter age limits, smoking bans, school‑based prevention, and targeted interventions for high‑risk youth.