Introduction. The use of electronic cigarette (CE) and hookah (PA) has spread widely as an alternative to the consumption of snuff, and the first has been invoked as a tool for cessation.
Objective. Determine knowledge, attitudes and practices on CE and PA in 5th students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Republic, Uruguay, 2015.
Methods. Cross-sectional study, descriptive court. survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices EC and PA, medical students in July and August 2015. The results were analyzed in absolute and relative frequencies were applied; Chi2 test was used.
Results. 241 students answered the questionnaire; 54.6% of the target population. 21.1% of students were smokers. 72.2% of respondents know the EC and 69.7% BP. 7.5% have used EC and 31.5% PA. 41.5% believe that the EC are harmful while 44.4% do not know. There were significant differences between smokers and non-smokers with respect knowledge and practices.
Conclusions. Most students say they know the EC and PA; is rare experimentation EC, the PA amounts to a third of respondents. Less than half know that the EC causes damage to health. Students have little information about the risks of using these devices. There is need to address this issue in medical training.