ABSTRACT:
Vaping has become increasingly common among university students and is often perceived as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking. Although some research links vaping to stress-coping behaviours, findings remain inconclusive. This cross-sectional study assessed the association between perceived mental stress and vaping behaviour among 319 students at Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires covering sociodemographic, perceived stress, causes and emotional effects of stress, vaping practices, and attitudes toward vaping and regulation. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation, were used to analyse the data. Although vapers reported slightly higher average stress levels, the difference was not statistically significant, and no meaningful association was observed between vaping status and stress category or puff frequency. However, vapers were more likely to report experiencing stress related to financial and interpersonal issues compared to non-vapers. Male students and those in older or postgraduate groups were significantly more likely to vape. Most vapers acknowledged vaping’s health risks and supported stronger regulatory controls, despite continued usage. These findings suggest that vaping behaviour in this population may be shaped by social, behavioural, and demographic influences than by perceived mental stress. Future research employing longitudinal methods and validated multi-item stress assessments is recommended to better understand the complex dynamics between stress and vaping.