Introduction. Electronic cigarettes (ECs) pose a global public health problem, especially among young people. Medical students, future physicians, are subject to the same behavioral risks; however, data on the prevalence of vaping in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Russia are practically absent. Objective. To assess the prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among students of the Medical Institute of North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU) and to identify risk factors for nicotine dependence. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 188 students of years 1–6 (median age 22 years). The target population was 1,594 students. The sample size accounted for 11.8% of the target population, and the margin of error was ±6.9% at a 95% confidence level (calculated using the Cochran formula). An anonymous questionnaire was used, including questions on frequency, age of initiation, motives, concealment of use, and presence of chronic respiratory diseases. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric methods (Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman and Kendall correlations). Results. Experience with ENDS was reported by 52.1% of respondents. The median age of initiation was 17 years; 51.0% started using before age 18. Males started earlier than females (p=0.031). The main motives were stress relief (55.1%) and pleasure (44.9%). Persons with chronic respiratory diseases used ECs more often (p=0.036). Earlier initiation correlated with higher current frequency of use (r=-0.281; p=0.009). Concealment from parents was associated with intensive use (p