Abstract
Background: Vapes and e-cigarettes are portable devices that heat a nicotine-containing fluid to produce inhalable emissions. Their use has grown significantly and teenagers who vape risk nicotine addiction and impaired brain development. Objective: To assess the rise of vaping culture and exploring the trends and dynamics of e cigarette use among medical and non- medical students. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey that targeted 222 students from reputable institutions across Punjab using a convenient sampling technique. The data collection tool was pre-tested structured questionnaire that assessed the participant's familiarity with the trends of e-cigarette in their respective colleges. We analyze the data using chi-square test for bivariate associations. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant Results: Among the 222 respondents, most of the participants were male students who were familiar with the use and risk of vaping. The most common reason of vaping was peer pressure in both medical and non students. Majority of medical students reported no impact of vape on their academic performance whereas increased absenteeism was reported among non medical students. The survey suggests that medical students all over Punjab are generally aware about vaping and its risks however non medical students should be educated more about the severity and impact of e-cigarette use Conclusion: The study shows distinct disparities in e- cigarette and vape behaviors between medical and non-medical students. Medical students demonstrate more awareness of health risks, lower smoking prevalence, and minimal academic disruption from vaping. In contrast, non-medical students exhibit higher smoking rates and significant academic challenges such as increased absenteeism.