Conocimiento y percepción del impacto del vapeo en la salud respiratoria de estudiantes de enfermería

E-cigarette use has spread among young university students, encouraged by the perception that it is less harmful than conventional tobacco. The study therefore aimed to assess nursing students’ knowledge and perception of the impact of vaping on respiratory health. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional census design was used with a population of 50 third-, fourth- and fifth-semester students from the Universidad Regional Autónoma de los Andes, Tulcán campus, who completed a structured questionnaire. Overall, 56% knew the device, 58% recognised that it causes respiratory harm, 70% that it causes breathing difficulty and 60% that it reduces lung capacity, although nearly one in five denied these effects. It was concluded that training on electronic nicotine delivery systems should be strengthened.