A new study reveals that while residents of Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia, are largely aware of the oral health risks of traditional smoking, misconceptions about e-cigarettes remain widespread.
Conducted in 2025, the cross-sectional online survey included 278 participants aged 16 and above. Using a validated questionnaire, researchers collected data on demographics, smoking habits, oral hygiene, and awareness of smoking-related oral health risks.
Findings showed that 6.8% of respondents were traditional smokers, 6.5% used e-cigarettes, 2.2% were dual users, and 84.5% were non-smokers. Over 80% recognized that smoking causes oral problems such as cancer, tooth discoloration, halitosis, and impaired healing. In contrast, only 17.6% perceived e-cigarettes as harmful.
Non-smokers and cigarette smokers demonstrated higher awareness of oral health risks compared to e-cigarette and dual users, who tended to underestimate the dangers.
The study highlights a clear knowledge gap regarding e-cigarettes, signaling an urgent need for targeted public health campaigns to address misconceptions and protect oral health.
