E-Cigarette Knowledge And Usage Among Professional Baseball Players.

Objectives: The use of electronic cigarettes has become increasingly more popular in the United States. Contrary to previous belief, E-cigarettes are no longer considered a healthy alternative to smoking combustible cigarettes. The purpose of this study was to understand the minor league baseball players cultural background with knowledge, attitude, and usage of E-cigarettes.
Methods: The minor league professional baseball players (MLPBPs) from four major league franchises participated in this study. Athletic trainers distributed the surveys to their MLPBPs during 2018 spring training physical. The players completed the surveys voluntarily and anonymously. Data were managed with an Excel program and interpreted via standard descriptive statistical analysis.
Results: A total number of 414 minor league professional baseball players (MLPBPs) participated in this study (n=414). The cultural distribution of MLPBPs completing the survey was: Caucasian-53%(n=218), Hispanic-40%(n=163), African American-6%(n=25), Asian-1%(n=5). Among these MLPBPs, 34% “thought E-cigarettes caused less harm than combustible cigarettes”. Specifically, the cultural distribution of players who were of the opinion that the “usage of E-cigarettes was less harmful than combustible cigarettes” were the following: Caucasian-46%, African American-32%, Hispanic-21%. Among players who had indicated “previously tried/past usage of E-cigarettes” were: Caucasian-26%, African American-20%, Hispanic-12%. The distribution of MLPBPs who responded that they have “friends/peers who are current users of E-cigarettes” were following: Caucasian-50%, African American-44%, Hispanic 34%. Among the total group of MLPBPs who completed the survey, 44% “have never heard of Electronic cigarettes”. Specifically, the cultural distribution of players who have not heard about “E-cigarettes” were: Hispanic-65%, African American-64%, Caucasian-29%.
Conclusions: Educational programs regarding E-cigarette hazard awareness need to be preventative for African American and Hispanic MLPBPs. However, E-cigarette hazard awareness programs for Caucasian MLPBPs need to be not only be preventative but also interventional in nature.