College students' perceptions of electronic cigarette risks and benefits: a concept mapping study.

This article focuses on Taiwanese college students' perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, employing concept mapping (CM) to analyze viewpoints from both users and non-users. The study involved 100 students from 11 universities, identifying 10 thematic clusters: three related to risk perceptions, six to benefit perceptions, and one concerning e-cigarette regulations. Findings revealed that non-users rated risks higher and benefits lower than users, with risks including health hazards, addiction, and financial burdens, while perceived benefits involved social appeal, smoking cessation aid, and product variety. The study highlights the importance of understanding these perceptions to inform health education and policy, noting that despite regulatory changes in Taiwan, e-cigarette use remains prevalent among college students.