@Article{crph6043,
AUTHOR = {Assari, Shervin and Mohammadi, Mohammad and Pashmchi, Mohammad and Aghaeimeybodi, Fatemeh and Pallera, John Ashley},
TITLE = {I Am My Peers: How Social Ties Influence E-Cigarette Attitudes, Policy Support, and Use},
JOURNAL = {Current Research in Public Health},
VOLUME = {5},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {24-37},
URL = {https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/OJP/article/view/6043},
ISSN = {2831-5162},
DOI = {10.31586/ojp.2025.6043},
ABSTRACT = {Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasingly prevalent among youth and young adults, particularly college and university students. This is a population for whom e-cigarette use is not recommended due to potential health risks, including nicotine addiction and long-term respiratory effects. Social networks play a crucial role in shaping attitudes toward e-cigarettes and influencing use behaviors. However, the relative influence of different social ties—parents, siblings, and friends—on e-cigarette attitudes and use remains unclear. Objective: This study utilizes data from the SMOKES study to compare the influence of e-cigarette use within different social network sections—parents, friends, and siblings—on personal e-cigarette attitudes and use among college and university students. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey of college and university students, we examined the associations between e-cigarette use within different social networks and individual e-cigarette attitudes and use. Multivariate regression models assessed the strength of these associations, adjusting for key demographic and behavioral covariates. Results: Findings indicate that among college and university students, the strongest influence on both e-cigarette attitudes and use comes from friends who use e-cigarettes. In contrast, parental and sibling e-cigarette use showed weak or non-significant effects. These results suggest that peer influence, rather than family influence, plays a dominant role in shaping e-cigarette-related behaviors and perceptions in young adults. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of peer influence in e-cigarette uptake and attitudes among college and university students. Public health interventions aimed at reducing e-cigarette use in this population should consider targeting peer networks rather than focusing solely on family-based influences.},
}

%0 Journal Article
%A Assari, Shervin
%A Mohammadi, Mohammad
%A Pashmchi, Mohammad
%A Aghaeimeybodi, Fatemeh
%A Pallera, John Ashley
%D 2025
%J Current Research in Public Health

%@ 2831-5162
%V 5
%N 1
%P 24-37

%T I Am My Peers: How Social Ties Influence E-Cigarette Attitudes, Policy Support, and Use
%M doi:10.31586/ojp.2025.6043
%U https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/OJP/article/view/6043

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Assari, Shervin
AU  - Mohammadi, Mohammad
AU  - Pashmchi, Mohammad
AU  - Aghaeimeybodi, Fatemeh
AU  - Pallera, John Ashley
TI  - I Am My Peers: How Social Ties Influence E-Cigarette Attitudes, Policy Support, and Use
T2  - Current Research in Public Health
PY  - 2025
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
SN  - 2831-5162
SP  - 24
EP  - 37
UR  - https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/OJP/article/view/6043
AB  - Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasingly prevalent among youth and young adults, particularly college and university students. This is a population for whom e-cigarette use is not recommended due to potential health risks, including nicotine addiction and long-term respiratory effects. Social networks play a crucial role in shaping attitudes toward e-cigarettes and influencing use behaviors. However, the relative influence of different social ties—parents, siblings, and friends—on e-cigarette attitudes and use remains unclear. Objective: This study utilizes data from the SMOKES study to compare the influence of e-cigarette use within different social network sections—parents, friends, and siblings—on personal e-cigarette attitudes and use among college and university students. Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey of college and university students, we examined the associations between e-cigarette use within different social networks and individual e-cigarette attitudes and use. Multivariate regression models assessed the strength of these associations, adjusting for key demographic and behavioral covariates. Results: Findings indicate that among college and university students, the strongest influence on both e-cigarette attitudes and use comes from friends who use e-cigarettes. In contrast, parental and sibling e-cigarette use showed weak or non-significant effects. These results suggest that peer influence, rather than family influence, plays a dominant role in shaping e-cigarette-related behaviors and perceptions in young adults. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of peer influence in e-cigarette uptake and attitudes among college and university students. Public health interventions aimed at reducing e-cigarette use in this population should consider targeting peer networks rather than focusing solely on family-based influences.
DO  - I Am My Peers: How Social Ties Influence E-Cigarette Attitudes, Policy Support, and Use
TI  - 10.31586/ojp.2025.6043
ER  -