OBJECTIVES: The objective was to report the prevalence and characteristics of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users in order to inform an appropriate response to this emerging challenge in tobacco control. METHODS: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2014 that used computer-assisted interviewing in a representative sample of 5385 Serbian adults age 18-64 years. RESULTS: Lifetime e-cigarette use and current use was reported by 9.6 and 2 % of adults, respectively. Younger adults had a higher prevalence of both lifetime and current use. Females were more likely to be current e-cigarette users than males. The majority of ever and current e-cigarette users were current or past cigarette smokers, but lifetime use was reported by non-smokers as well. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic cigarettes are popular in Serbia; one in ten adults had tried them at least once. Because females and young adults were more likely to use e-cigarettes, a targeted response in these specific groups is needed. A standardised methodology for monitoring e-cigarette use should be established and surveys exploring motives for and attitudes towards e-cigarettes use should be conducted.

Department of Addictology 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague and General University Hospital Prague Prague Czech Republic

Department of Addictology 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague and General University Hospital Prague Prague Czech Republic National Institute of Mental Health Prague Czech Republic National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction Office of Government of the Czech Republic Prague Czech Republic

Department of Addictology 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague and General University Hospital Prague Prague Czech Republic Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Suchtforschung der Universität Hamburg Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie Hamburg Germany

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