Abstract Rationale The increasing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents raises concerns about potential effects on sleep health. Nicotine and behavioral patterns related to vaping may disrupt circadian regulation and sleep continuity. Understanding these associations is essential for preventive strategies targeting youth sleep hygiene and vaping behavior. Objectives To examine the association between e-cigarette use and sleep patterns among Colombian adolescents, including bedtime, wake-up time, and sleep fragmentation, while accounting for screen exposure and sociodemographic factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 10,116 students aged 9-18 years from multiple schools in Colombia. A self-administered questionnaire assessed sleep habits, bedtime, wake-up time, screen use before sleep, vaping behavior, and academic performance. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlations, Somers’ d, and exploratory factor analysis (KMO = 0.646). Data were processed using SPSS 25.0. Significance was set at p 0.05. Results Vaping prevalence was 8.9%, while 17.9% reported going to bed after 10 p.m. and 65% used screens before sleep. Significant associations were observed between vaping and difficulty initiating sleep (χ² = 266.03; p 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.088), as well as later wake-up times (r = -0.029; p = 0.003; Cramer’s V = 0.128). No significant associations were found with nap duration (η = 0.012) or nighttime awakenings. Principal component analysis revealed clusters of irregular sleep schedules and high technology exposure, explaining 18.89% of the variance. Vapers were more likely to show fragmented and delayed sleep patterns, independent of age and sex. Conclusions E-cigarette use is associated with disrupted sleep timing and onset among adolescents. The combination of vaping and nighttime screen exposure appears to exacerbate circadian misalignment and delayed awakening. These findings highlight the need for school-based prevention programs integrating sleep hygiene education and nicotine control to improve adolescent health and academic performance. This abstract is funded by: None
Orozco et al. (2026) studied this question.