Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42542754›Full record

ArticleTobacco induced diseases2026

Assessment of withdrawal symptoms among e-cigarette users in Saudi Arabia.

Fahad H Alahmadi, Ahmed A Alzahrani, Noof Aloufi, Eman Sobh, Ziyad Alshehri, Abdulrahman M Hawsawi, Ali M Alasmari, Keir E J Philip, Foad Bukhari

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Article in Tobacco induced diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Fahad H AlahmadiRespiratory Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed A AlzahraniRespiratory Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Noof AloufiDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Eman SobhRespiratory Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Ziyad AlshehriRespiratory Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulrahman M HawsawiRespiratory Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Ali M AlasmariRespiratory Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
Keir E J PhilipNational Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom.
Foad BukhariDepartment of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionE-cigarette use or 'vaping' is increasing globally. Withdrawal symptoms have been extensively researched in tobacco users, but less is known regarding withdrawal among e-cigarette users. We aimed to explore the type, relative frequency, and severity of withdrawal symptoms experienced by e-cigarette users in Saudi Arabia.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was administered to e-cigarette users aged ≥18 years residing in Saudi Arabia in 2023, using a convenience sampling frame. The primary outcome is the withdrawal symptoms. Descriptive statistics and correlations were employed to analyze the data.

resultsData from 339 participants were analyzed: 87% males, 66% students, 90% used nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, with 55% using higher strength nicotine concentrations (>18 mg/mL). The most frequently reported psychological withdrawal symptoms were intense cravings for nicotine (43%), anger (29%), restlessness (28%), and poor concentration (20%), while 71% of participants reported experiencing at least one withdrawal symptom. The most commonly reported physical withdrawal symptoms were headache (34%), dizziness (17%), heart palpitations (15%), and breathing difficulties (14%). Approximately 42% of participants reported moderate-to-severe withdrawal symptoms. Notably, 36.9% returned to smoking to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

conclusionsE-cigarette users in Saudi Arabia experienced a range of psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms. Psychological symptoms were more commonly reported than physical ones. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the factors influencing the occurrence and severity of these symptoms.

Indexed as

electronic cigarettesmokingvapingwithdrawal symptoms

Identifiers

PMID42542754
PMCPMC13428303

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