Subjective sleep quality and electronic cigarette dependence, perceived risks of use, and perceptions about quitting electronic cigarettes

Introduction: Although subjective sleep quality has been associated with combustible cigarette use, little is known about its role in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use or beliefs about use. To address this gap, the current study examined subjective sleep quality among adult e-cigarette users in relation to e-cigarette dependence, perceived risks of e-cigarette use, and perceived barriers for quitting e-cigarettes. Methods: A cross-section design was employed. Participants included 304 e-cigarette users (53.6% female, M-age = 36.7 years, SD = 10.3, 75% were combustible cigarette users) using a Qualtrics platform. Results: Results indicated that poorer subjective sleep quality was significantly related to greater e-cigarette dependence and perceived barriers for quitting e-cigarettes (Delta R-2 = 0.06, p < .001 for each model) but was not significantly associated with perceived risks of e-cigarette use. Conclusions: This work provides novel evidence for the potential role of subjective sleep quality in e-cigarette dependence and beliefs about quitting. To the extent sleep quality is related to e-cigarette addiction and cognition, it represents an important construct to assess and target for change in efforts to facilitate change in e-cigarette dependence and perceived barriers for quitting.