The global lifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes: A systematic review and metaanalysis

Background: Background: One of the types of tobacco is electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) andin recent years, the prevalence of e-cigarettes has increased in the world. This study was aimed todetermine the global lifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes.Methods: The study was conducted in July ۲۰۲۰ without a time limit in Scopus, Web of Science,Ovid-MEDLINE, and PubMed. In the first stage, the titles and abstracts of the articles werereviewed, and if they were appropriate, they entered the next stage of screening. Then all articleswere reviewed and papers that met the inclusion criteria were selected. In this study, the JoannaBriggs Institute’s critical appraisal tool was used for assessed the quality of prevalence studies.Results: The lifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes vaping was ۲۳% (with a confidence interval (CI)of ۹۵%: ۲۱-۲۵%). The lifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes vaping among men was ۲۲% (۹۵% CI:۲۰-۲۵%) and ۱۲% (۹۵% CI: ۱۱-۱۳%). The lifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes vaping amongwomen was ۱۶% (۹۵% CI: ۱۵-۱۸%). In this study, the lifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes vaping incollege students, adolescents/school students, patients, and adults were ۲۶% (۹۵% CI: ۱۵-۳۷%),۲۵% (۹۵% CI: ۲۱-۳۰%), ۲۹% (۹۵% CI: ۱۶-۴۳%), and ۱۹% (۹۵% CI: ۱۷-۲۱%), respectively. Thelifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes vaping in the continents of America, Oceania, Asia, and Europewere ۲۴% (۹۵% CI: ۲۱-۲۷%), ۲۵% (۹۵% CI: ۱۸-۳۳%), ۱۶% (۹۵% CI: ۱۱-۲۰%), and ۲۶% (۹۵%CI: ۲۱-۳۱%), respectively.Conclusion: In this study, the lifetime prevalence of e-cigarettes vaping is very high. So, it isnecessary to design and implement the proper educational programs, and developing consumptionlimited laws and policies in this regards.