Exploring the Underlying Beliefs Shaping Perceptions of E-Cigarette Harm Among a Convenience Sample of Adults in the United States.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The proportion of the population who believe e-cigarettes are equally or more harmful than cigarettes is increasing; however, less is known about why people have these perceptions.

Methods

In a 2022 survey of 2,307 adults in the US ages 18-45, we coded a subsample of open-ended responses (n=461) asking participants who use cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or both products to explain their relative harm perceptions. We also asked all participants who believed e-cigarettes are at least as harmful (n=1,576) close-ended survey questions assessing agreement with reasons for these perceptions. Questions also asked participants to select the top three reasons that most closely explained their beliefs. Chi-square tests evaluated differences by tobacco use status.

Results

SUBMITTER: Weiger CV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12766982 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature