PREVALENCE OF VAPING AMONG SEMESTER 4

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES OF

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UiTM) SHAH ALAM

Prepared for

Dr. Elia Md. Johar

EWC661Lecturer
Academy of Language Studies
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Shah Alam

Prepared by

Amirul Aiman bin Che Arifin 2015445123

Yus Hafizi bin Mat Hassan 2015445123
Mohamad Fadzli Shafaryn bin Mohd Fauzi 2015445123
Mohd Azim bin Mohd Zahari 2015445123
EM2204A
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi MARA
Shah Alam

15 June 2017
 TERMS OF REFERENCE

On 16th of March 2017, the English for Report Writing lecturer (EWC661), Dr. Elia Md.
Johar instructed Mohamad Fadzli Shafaryn Bin Mohd Fauzi, Yus Hafizi Bin Mat Hassan,
Amirul Aiman Bin Che Arifin and Mohd Azim Bin Mohd Zahari to conduct a study and
write a report on the “Prevalence of Vaping among Semester 4 Mechanical Engineering
Undergraduates of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor.”. This report was
submitted on 15th of June 2017.

i
 ABSTRACT

The aims of the study were to determine the frequency of vaping among Semester 4
Mechanical Engineering undergraduates of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor,
identify reasons why they vaped and find out the ease of accessibility to vape gear, or
materials. Hence, thirty respondents from the Mechanical Engineering Faculty were chosen
randomly to assist in this survey. This study employed descriptive analysis and presented
results in frequency and percentage. It was found that the majority of the respondents chose
to vape after every meal. The study also found that most of them vaped because of their high
stress levels. It can be concluded that the respondents vaped without any restrictions but at
their convenience due to stress. These have proven that vaping becomes widespread among
the Semester 4 undergraduates as the environment allows them to do so and thus, warranting
an immediate enforcement of banning vape within campus confined areas by university
authorities.

ii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all those who contributed to the
completion of this report. A special gratitude goes to our lecturer, Dr. Elia Md. Johar who
contributed in stimulating suggestions and encouragement, helping us to coordinate this task
well especially in writing this report.

We would also like to convey our deep appreciation to all respondents for their
cooperation in answering the questionnaire. Lastly, a special thanks to our family for their
moral and financial supports during preparation of this report. These commitments enabled us
to succeed in completing this report on time. Thank you.

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TERMS OF REFERENCE.................................................................................................................i
ABSTRACT........................................................................................................................................ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................................................iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS..................................................................................................................iv
LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................................v
1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background of the Study.........................................................................................1
1.2 Problem Statement..................................................................................................2
1.3 Objectives of the Study...........................................................................................3
1.4 Significance of the Study........................................................................................3
1.5 Scope of the Study..................................................................................................3
2.0 METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................5
2.1 Respondents of the Study........................................................................................5
2.2 Instruments of the Study.........................................................................................5
2.3 Data Collection Procedure......................................................................................5
2.4 Data Analysis Method.............................................................................................6
3.0 FINDINGS..............................................................................................................................7
3.1 Background of the Respondents..............................................................................7
3.2 Frequency of Vaping...............................................................................................7
3.3 Reasons for Vaping.................................................................................................9
3.4 Accessibility to Vape Gear, or Materials..............................................................10
4.0 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................11
4.1 Conclusions...........................................................................................................11
4.2 Recommendations.................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................12
APPENDIX 1: SAMPLE OF QUESTIONNAIRE..............................................................................13

iv
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Page

3.1 Frequency of Vaping Per Day.....................................................................................7

3.2 Popular Places for Vaping..........................................................................................8
3.3 Reasons for Vaping.....................................................................................................8
3.4 Methods of Purchasing Vape Materials......................................................................9

v
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Cigarette has evolved from using tobacco in the late 1920s to inhaling water vapour,
popularly known as e-cigarette. Herbert Gilbert invented the first smokeless non-
tobacco cigarette in the late 1970s. His idea was to replace the cigarette using paper
and tobacco as the main component with the flavoured steam, or vapour, that
contained nicotine. His invention was not marketed until 2003, when Hon Lik from
China used his invention and he released the product in the market. Subsequently, the
vapour cigarette or called as e-cigarettes hit the market until now.

Since their introduction to the market, global usage of e-cigarettes has risen
exponentially. E-cigarettes are not only fast growing in Malaysia but also in most
countries in the world. Those who have a history of smoking regular cigarettes would
tend to vape. The reason for turning to e-cigarette is often associated with smoking
cessation. Compared to smoking, vaping is believed to be healthier although some are
concerned about possible adverse health effects particularly little is known about the
health effects of e-cigarettes. According to Davendralingam and Erwin (2015), vape is
the safer long-term alternative to tobacco cigarette smoking and acting as an aid to
quitting cigarette smoking. Hence, e-cigarettes are aggressively promoted, mostly via
the internet as a healthy alternative to smoke, resulting in the market for e-cigarettes
to be rapidly expanding in our country.

There are numerous venues that vape users can easily access to vaping gear or
materials. They can either purchase them online such as from Lazada and Facebook,
or just go to any vape shops nearby. For instance, they can buy those vape smokes and
flavours at Vape Street Venture (VSV) shop located as Section 7, Shah Alam. Back in
2016, one could even observe vape traders selling their merchandise from car boots
or setting up tables by roadsides at Dataran Shah Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor.
Clearly, this easy access to vape-based products or materials has contributed to the
widespread of vaping in the local community in general.

Thus, this study aimed to determine the frequency of vaping among UiTM
Selangor Semester 4 Mechanical Engineering undergraduates as well as to identify

1
the reasons why they vaped and to find out the level of their accessibility to vape gear,
or materials.
1.2 Problem Statement

Approximately, there are 1.1 thousand million smokers in the world which form one-
third of the global population whose ages range 15 and over (World Health
Organisation, 2017). Davendralingam and Erwin (2015) reported that there were
between 250,000 and 1 million cigarettes or vape users in Malaysia, backed up by the
2015 National Morbidity Survey (NHMS) reporting that “the prevalence of the
current use of smokeless tobacco products which includes e-cigarettes has increased
tremendously from 1.9% in 2011 to 10.9% in 2015” (IPH, 2016, p.15). This shows
that vaping has become a widespread epidemic and an always-seen habit among
Malaysians. Its sharp, continuous rise in sales also conveys how extreme vaping has
spread in the local community. Even though the Higher Education Ministry has
imposed a vape ban within the confines of 20 public universities campuses in
November 22, 2015 (Vape ban in all public universities, 2015), vapers can still find
alternative venues to vape. Thus, it is not surprising that university students can also
contribute to the increasing number of vape smokers in the country.

Like cigarette smoking, traditionally, most vapers often believe that helps
reduce stress and anxiety. Indeed, it is not. Claiming to represent the biggest vaping
community online, Vaping Daily.com in its article ‘Stress and tobacco use – Reasons
to not use tobacco to deal with stress.’ views this as misleading. It addresses this
misconception clearly by explaining through smokers’ experience wherein smokers
report that they feel a reduction in stress once nicotine enters the bloodstream, and
thereby the brain (Stress and tobacco use, 2017). They associate the reduction of
stress with smoking. In fact, the temporary reduction in stressful feelings is the brain’s
craving for nicotine being satisfied. Hence, smoking itself triggers stress as the brain
craves for nicotine. As cravings begin, the stress level rises. When smokers start
smoking again, the stress level falls as the brain receives its dose of nicotine. They get
the false impression that smoking reduces stress levels, where in fact, nicotine is the
primary contributor to stress. Similarly, e-cigarettes are not harmless. They also have
the same impact as most of them contain nicotine hidden in different solvents and

2
flavourings (Potenza, 2017). Therefore, e-cigarettes are not harmless as claimed due
to the influence of nicotine.
Evidently, the current vaping scenario will continue to exist as there is little
known on vaping health effects. Hence, the study is significant to unleash some basic
information on vaping among Mechanical Engineering undergraduates.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study aims to investigate the prevalence of e-cigarettes among Semester 4

Mechanical Engineering undergraduates. Thus, the objectives of the study are as
follows:

a) to determine the frequency of vaping among Semester 4 Mechanical

Engineering undergraduates,
b) to identify reasons why they vape, and
c) to find out the ease of accessibility to vape gear, or materials.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This study would benefit the Ministry of Higher Education, management of the
Mechanical Engineering Faculty and UiTM university students in general. The
findings provided some insights into vaping issues in UiTM and highlighted dark
areas that would warrant immediate actions from relevant authorities especially the
Ministry of Higher Education. These would enable the Ministry to find ways to
overcome vaping problems among university students before it becomes phenomenal.
Besides that, the faculty can also address the well-being of its students by conducting
campaigns on the dangers of vaping and smoking as well because prevention is better
than cure. They can conduct also further investigation into this issue to determine
whether vaping can lead to addiction which might affect students’ academic
performance. Finally, this study would help create awareness among UiTM students
them on the intensity of vaping practices among them.

1.5 Scope of the Study

The survey involved only thirty respondents consisting of Semester 4 undergraduates

of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty in UiTM Selangor. These respondents were

3
vape smokers. Due to the small sample size, it only allowed researchers to use
descriptive statistics and thus, the findings could not be generalized to the broader
population of UiTM. The duration of this study was 14 weeks, starting from March
2017 until June 2017 which had limited the scope of the study in terms of variables
involved.

1.6 Previous Studies

Research shows that smoking starts from adolescence. Based on Tobacco & E-
cigarette Survey among Malaysian Adolescents (TECMA) by the Institute for Public
Health (IPH) in 2016, conducted on 136 primary and secondary schools, most current
smokers began smoking at the age of 11. This indicates how smoking is prevalent
among Malaysian adolescents from a very young age. To worsen matters, the
emergence of e-cigarettes has promoted vaping as an alternative to real smoking (IPH,
2016). Surprisingly, more than half of the adolescents surveyed who were below 18
years were not prevented from purchasing e-cigarettes. Their sources of e-cigarettes
were primarily friends, shops, kiosks, or shopping malls (IPH, 2016). This ease of
purchase has also caused e-cigarettes to be widely used among tertiary students.

Vape users engage in vaping due to various reasons. Miller (2017) highlighted
in her writing in a science news website called LIVESCIENCE that there is a shift in
the reasons why people vape. She cited to date, fewer people vape due to smoking
cessation while more said that they vape to boost their social image. Her reasons were
based on a study conducted by Ayers, Leas, Allem, Benton, Dredze, Althouse, Cruz,
and Unger (2017) who investigated the reasons why people use electronic nicotine
delivery systems, employing a content analysis of Twitter from the year 2012 to 2015.
In the study, more than 3 million public tweets about e-cigarettes were analysed. It
was found that in 2012, the most common reasons for vaping were to quit smoking
regular cigarettes, followed by to promote social image, and for indoor use. By 2015,
the rankings for vaping reasons changed; social image topped as the most common
reason cited. Smoking cessation was second, followed by indoor use. However, a year
later, in a University of Buffalo survey, more than 429 college students from four
universities who have used e-cigarettes found that a majority used them for enjoyment
(Saddleson, Kozlowski, Goniewicz, Giovino, Mahoney, Homish & Arora, 2016).

4
 However, in the local context, most current vapers surveyed reported that they vaped
to quit smoking (IPH, 2016).

2.0 METHODOLOGY

2.1 Respondents of the Study

There were thirty respondents, both males and females, selected randomly to be the
sample in this survey. The respondents were UiTM Selangor Semester 4
undergraduate students of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty. They ranged between
18 years old and above.

2.3 Instruments of the Study

A questionnaire was chosen to be the research instrument for collecting the

information from the respondents. This method was more effective rather than
interviewing them face-to-face. This questionnaire was given to each of the
respondents who vaped.
The questionnaire was adapted from two online questionnaires to address the
objectives of the study (Please refer Appendix 1). There were four sections in the
questionnaire regarding the requirements for achieving the objectives of this study.
Section 1 was about the background of the respondents. In Section 2, five questions
were set to find out the frequency of vaping among Semester 4 undergraduate
students covering vaping time and venues. In Section 3, there were only two
questions asking about the reasons why they vaped and what have influenced them to
vape. Lastly, Section 4 was designed to find out their accessibility to vape gear, or
materials. The type of questions in Sections 2, 3 and 4 were multiple-choice. Others
were listing types where the respondents could tick more than one option.

2.4 Data Collection Procedure

The questionnaires were distributed to the respondents at the Mechanical

Engineering Faculty premise. The questionnaires were only given to those who
vaped to ensure that the data collected could be used in completing this research.

5
They were distributed during peak time such as lunch hours and after 6 p.m. because
at these hours, the respondents had enough time to spend on answering the
questionnaires. The time given for the respondents to answer the questionnaire was
about 5 to 7 minutes.

2.5 Data Analysis Method

This study used descriptive analysis in analysing the data. The analysed data were
converted from frequency count into percentages and presented in charts using
Google Drive applications.

6
3.0 FINDINGS

3.1 Background of the Respondents

A questionnaire consisting of twelve questions were distributed to thirty respondents

of Semester 4 undergraduate students from the Mechanical Engineering Faculty. The
demographic details were on gender, age, marital status and current CGPA achieved
by the respondents. Out of thirty respondents, 80% were males and 20% were
females. The respondents’ age ranged from 21 to 25 years old and all of them were
unmarried. Most respondents (63.3%) were 22 years old. With respect to CGPA
achievement, 17 students obtained a CGPA between 2.01 to 3.0. Meanwhile, 10
respondents obtained CGPA between 3.1 and 3.5 and the rest had their CGPA above
3.5. None obtained a CGPA of under 2.0.

3.2 Frequency of Vaping

Figure 3.1 shows frequency of vaping among the respondents in a day. The frequency
of vaping per day was measured by different times of the day.

Figure 3.1: Frequency of Vaping Per day

Fifteen students or, half of the respondents indicated they vaped after every meal, 12
students vaped after their class hours while 14 students indicated no specified time.
The results show that the respondents vaped at a time convenient to them which was
not openly made to the public.

7
Figure 3.2 below represents popular places for vaping. The most popular responses
for vaping favourite spots were hostels and outside the campus with 33% and 32%
respectively. The remaining (4%) chose to vape in their vehicles. This finding,
however, came as a surprise because hostels have been designated to be prohibited
areas for vaping (Vape ban in all public universities, 2017).

Figure 3.2: Popular Places for Vaping

8
 3.3
80.00%
70.00% Reasons
60.00% for
50.00%
40.00% Vaping
Percentage

30.00%
20.00% Figure
10.00% 3.3
0.00%
ss ts dy .. ell st y nd exhibits
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sig ett an ge eo
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rlo p pe E In
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O To reasons
for
vaping, ranging from stress to friends’ influence.

Figure 3.3: Reasons for Vaping

Stress recorded the highest percentage in the list with 66.7 % whereas smoking cessation was
the lowest with 23.3%. This indicated that stress was the main reason for students to vape and
smoking cessation was of no significant concern. However, this finding differs from other
similar studies. According to Ayers, Leas, Allem, Benton, Dredze, Althouse, Cruz, and Unger
(2017), in 2012, the most common reason cited for vaping was to quit smoking regular
cigarettes whereas in 2015, social image topped as the most common reason cited and
smoking cessation was second. This difference suggests that there is a misconception among
the respondents thinking that only through vaping they could reduce stress and smoking
cessation was not justified at all to be the primary reason for them to turn from tobacco
smoking to e-cigarettes.

9
3.4 Methods of Purchasing Vape Materials

Figure 3.5 below illustrates the listing of accessibility to vape gear, or materials. There are
only three methods studied, namely, vape outlets, online and others.
Methods of Purchasing Vape Materials

Materialse

Number of Respondents

Figure 3.4: Method of Vape Purchase

Based on the above figure, 26 respondents (86.7%) purchased vape gear, or materials at vape
outlets. Meanwhile, only 11 respondents (36.7%) bought them online. This indicated that
patronizing vape outlets was far more convenient for them to purchase vape materials than
making online purchase. Going to the outlets might allow them to test the available flavours
and make enquiries directly or even they could get immediate feedback. Some did online
purchase as they could possibly save their time going out unnecessarily. This finding concurs
with the study done by the Institute of Public Health, Malaysia (2016) wherein adolescent
vape users often obtained vape gears, or materials from vape shops or kiosk. This suggests
that the widespread of vaping among the respondents might due to easy access to vape gears,
or materials.

10
4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Conclusions

Based on the findings and discussions, it can be concluded that the majority of respondents
vaped at their hostels although they were prohibited to do so. With respect to frequency of
vaping, the most common time they vaped was after each meal. These show the respondents
could vape conveniently without any restrictions.

Next, stress was the most cited reason for vaping among the respondents. This can be
observed throughout their academic years as they have to meet high expectations both from
their parents and universities where they study. Hence, this could possibly cause vaping
practices prevail among the respondents.

Finally, purchasing vape materials such as devices and flavours directly from at vape outlets
has been a common practice among the respondents. The ease of accessibilty to vape
materials could trigger more students to take up vaping as an alternative to expensive tobacco
smoking.

4.2 Recommendations

Based on the conclusions, it is recommended that:

a) the Mechanical Engineering Faculty carry out checks on its students who vape at the
faculty after day meals,
b) the UiTM top management implement a full enforcement on the restricted areas of
vaping, and
c) vape outlets not to sell nicotine-based flavours so that students do not conceive vaping
practices as their way out to stress when they vape.

11
12
 REFERENCES

Ayers, J.W. , Leas, E.C. Allem, J. , Benton, A., Dredze, M. ,Althouse, B.M., Cruz, T.B. and
Unger, J.B. (2017). Why do people use electronic nicotine delivery systems (electronic
cigarettes)? A content analysis of Twitter, 2012-2015. PLoS ONE 12(3). Retrieved
from https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170702

Davendralingam, S., and Erwin, K.J. (2015). E-cigarettes: Facts and legal status,
International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education (IeJSME), 9(3),10-19.
Retrieved from web.imu.edu.my/imuejournal/.../IeJSME201593-
3.Review_Davendralingam.pdf

Institue of Public Health (2016). Tobacco & e-cigarette survey among Malaysian
adolescents (TECMA). Retrieved from
http://www.iku.gov.my/images/IKU/Document/REPORT/
TECMA2016/TabaccoandECigarette.pdf

Miller, S. (2017, March 1).Why do people vape? Reasons have changed. LIVESCIENCE.
Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/58071-why-people-vape.html

Potenza, A. (2017, February 1). Vaping might increase your risk of heart disease, just like
regular cigarettes. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/
2017/2/1/14460996/e-cig-vaping-risk-heart-disease-health-jama-study

Saddleson, M.L., Kozlowski, L.T., Giovino, G.A., Goniewicz, M.L., Mahoney, M.C. ,
Homish, G.G. and Arora, A. (2017). Enjoyment and other reasons for electronic
cigarette use: Results from college students in New York. Addictive Behaviour, 54, 3-39.
Retrieved from www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460315300630

Vape ban in all public universities. (2017, November 22). The Star Online. Retrieved from
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/11/22/vape-ban-at-public-universities/

Vaping Daily (2017). Stress and tobacco use – Reasons to not use tobacco to deal with
stress.
Retrieved from https://vapingdaily.com/quitting-effects/stress-and-tobacco-use/

13
APPENDIX 1: SAMPLE OF QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear respondents,

We are conducting a survey on Prevalence of Vaping among UiTM Selangor Semester 4

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduates. The purpose of this survey is to identify why
Semester 4 undergraduate students vape. We would greatly appreciate it if you could spend
time to answer these following questions. All your responses will be kept confidential.

Section 1: Background Information

Instructions: Please answer the questions.

1. Gender

Male Female

2. Age :___________ years

3. Marital status
Single
Married

4. What is your current CGPA? :_______________

Section 2: Frequency of Vaping

Instruction: Please tick (√) your answer in the box.

1. How frequent do you vape per day? (You may tick more than one option.)

After every meal

After class hours
Before attending class
Before sleep
Occasionally
Others (Please specify: _____________________)

2. How long have you been vaping?

Below 6 months
6 – 12 months
13 – 24 months
Above 24 months

3. How much money do you spend on vape materials in a month?

Below RM40

RM40 – RM60

RM60 – RM80

Above RM80

4. Where do you often vape? (You may tick more than one option.)

Hostel

Food court

Street
Bus stop

On the transport

Outside campus area

Others (Please specify: ____________________)

Section 3: Reasons for Vaping

Instructions: Please tick (√) your answer in the box.

1. Which of the following factors have influenced you to vape?

Stress
Overload assignments
Trendy
Quit cigarette smoking
Vape’s nice smell
Low cost
Easy access
Friends’ influence
Others (Please specify: ____________________________________)

1. Who/what has influenced you to vape?

Friends
Parents
Mass media
Social media
Others (Please specify: __________________________________)

Section 4: Methods of Vape Purchases

Instruction: Please tick (√) your answer in the box.

1. Where do you usually buy vape materials or products?

a. Vape outlets
b. Online shops
c. Others (Please specify: __________________________________)
Thank You