Perceived risk

Perceived risk was assessed by asking How much do you think people risk harming themselves when they do each of the following activities? for Use an e-cigarette once in a while and Use an e-cigarette on a regular basis (Figure 12.10).

Overall, the majority of students in grades 7-9 perceived slight or moderate risk of using e-cigarettes with nicotine once in a while, but moderate or great risk of regular use.

Significantly more ever-users of e-cigarettes perceived no risk of using e-cigarettes with nicotine once in a while (20.5%a) or on a regular basis (8.5%b), compared to never users (7.5%c and 5.4%d, respectively).169,170

Compared to e-cigarettes with nicotine, youth appeared to perceive using e-cigarettes without nicotine as having lower risk of harm (Figure 12.11).

Overall, the majority of students in grades 7-9 perceived no risk or slight risk of using e-cigarettes without nicotine once in a while, but slight or moderate risk of regular use.

Significantly more ever-users of e-cigarettes perceived no risk of using e-cigarettes without nicotine once in a while (52.7%e) or on a regular basis (31.0%f), compared to never users (23.1%g and 12.8%h, respectively).171,172

Bar chart showing perceived risk of using e-cigarettes with nicotine, on a regular basis and once in a while, grades 7 to 9, from 2018 to 2019. Trends described in text. Data table below with 95% confidence intervals.

Bar chart showing perceived risk of using e-cigarettes without nicotine, on a regular basis and once in a while, grades 7 to 9, from 2018 to 2019. Trends described in text. Data table below with 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 12.10 Data table with 95% confidence intervals
Figure 12.10: Perceived risk of using e-cigarettes with nicotine (%), on a regular basis and once in a while, grades 7-9, 2018-19
E-cigarette use Great risk Moderate risk Slight risk No risk Don't know
Once in a while 13.2 [12.6-13.9] 32.5 [31.5-33.6] 34.0 [32.8-35.2] 9.7 [9.0-10.4] 10.6 [9.8-11.3]
Regular basis 42.6 [41.4-43.8] 30.7 [29.5-31.9] 10.2 [9.5-10.8] 6.0 [5.5-6.5] 10.6 [9.8-11.4]

Data source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey, 2018-19.

Figure 12.11 Data table with 95% confidence intervals
Figure 12.11: Perceived risk of using e-cigarettes without nicotine (%), on a regular basis and once in a while, grades 7-9, 2018-19
E-cigarette use Great risk Moderate risk Slight risk No risk Don't know
Once in a while 6.7 [6.2-7.3] 15.3 [14.6-16.0] 37.1 [36.2-38.0] 28.6 [27.6-29.6] 12.2 [11.3-13.1]
Regular basis 15.6 [14.6-16.6] 28.0 [27.1-29.0] 27.8 [26.4-29.2] 16.3 [15.4-17.2] 12.3 [11.5-13.1]

Data source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey, 2018-19.

95% confidence intervals for in-text estimates

a: 20.5 [17.4-23.6]
b: 8.5 [7.1-9.9]
c: 7.5 [6.8-8.2]
d: 5.4 [4.8-6.0]
e: 52.7 [48.5-56.8]
f: 31.0 [28.8-33.1]
g: 23.1 [22.1-24.1]
h: 12.8 [11.9-13.6]