Dataset Information

Social Interactions as a Source of Information about E-Cigarettes: A Study of U.S. Adult Smokers.

ABSTRACT: The novelty of e-cigarettes and ambiguity about their effects may foster informal sharing of information, such as through social interactions. We aimed to describe smokers' social interactions about e-cigarettes and their recommendations that others use e-cigarettes. Data were collected from 2149 adult smokers in North Carolina and California who participated in a study of the impact of pictorial cigarette pack warnings. In the previous month, almost half of participants (45%) reported talking to at least one person about e-cigarettes and nearly a third of participants (27%) recommended e-cigarettes to someone else. Smokers recommended e-cigarettes to cut back on smoking (57%), to quit smoking (48%), for health reasons (36%), and for fun (27%). In adjusted analyses, more frequent e-cigarette use, positive views about typical e-cigarette users, and attempting to quit smoking in the past month were associated with recommending e-cigarettes for health reasons (all p < 0.05). Social interactions appear to be a popular method of information-sharing about e-cigarettes among smokers. Health communication campaigns may help to fill in the gaps of smokers' understanding of e-cigarettes and their long-term effects.

SUBMITTER: Hall MG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4997474 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Social Interactions as a Source of Information about E-Cigarettes: A Study of U.S. Adult Smokers.

Hall Marissa G MG Pepper Jessica K JK Morgan Jennifer C JC Brewer Noel T NT

International journal of environmental research and public health 20160805 8

The novelty of e-cigarettes and ambiguity about their effects may foster informal sharing of information, such as through social interactions. We aimed to describe smokers' social interactions about e-cigarettes and their recommendations that others use e-cigarettes. Data were collected from 2149 adult smokers in North Carolina and California who participated in a study of the impact of pictorial cigarette pack warnings. In the previous month, almost half of participants (45%) reported talking t ...[more]

PMID: 27527199

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Project description:Background and aimsIn 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed to reduce nicotine in cigarettes to minimally or non-addictive levels. This study qualitatively explored perceptions of nicotine and addiction, both independently and in response to messages communicating about nicotine reduction.DesignQualitative study using focus groups. Participants described their perceptions of nicotine and addiction and their responses to messages about the nicotine reduction.SettingAtlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, USA. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted virtually in Spring 2020.ParticipantsExclusive smokers (n = 27), dual users (of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes) (n = 25), former smokers (n = 32) and young adult non-smokers (n = 31).MeasurementInductive thematic analysis of transcripts was conducted, and results were compared across smoking status groups.FindingsParticipants across all smoking status groups associated nicotine with tobacco products, but consistently misperceived that nicotine caused disease. Perceptions of addiction were largely negative and varied by smoking status. Experienced smokers (exclusive smokers, former smokers and dual users) differentiated tobacco use from other addictions and minimized their own experiences of addiction. Perceptions of addiction across experienced smokers included not only the chemical properties of nicotine, but also the behavioral aspects of tobacco use, including oral fixation, having a smoking routine and response to internal and external cues. In response to messages, many believed that removing the nicotine would not make cigarettes less addictive because of the multi-factorial nature of smoking addiction that includes non-pharmacological cues.ConclusionsPerceptions of nicotine and addiction among non-smokers, former smokers, exclusive smokers and dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes vary based on smoking status, but there is a common tendency to believe that nicotine is addictive, that addiction results from more than just nicotine, and that very low nicotine cigarettes will not necessarily reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes.

Project description:IntroductionFlavor capsule cigarettes are rapidly gaining global market share, particularly in Latin America; however, little is known about consumer profiles and perceptions since the diffusion of this product innovation has become more widespread.Aims and methodsThis paper compares profiles and perceptions of smokers who prefer flavor capsule cigarettes and those who do not in Mexico. We analyzed data from six online surveys of adult Mexican smokers (n = 4488) from 2018-2020. Participants identified their preferred brand variety characteristics (no capsule; one capsule; two capsules), and reported perceptions of their brand varieties' flavor, smoothness, harmfulness, and whether they smoke to control their appetite. Separate multinomial logistic models regressed preferred cigarette type on sociodemographic and smoking-related variables, as well as perceived benefits on preferred cigarette type, adjusting for covariates.ResultsMost participants preferred capsule cigarettes (single capsule = 47.5%; double capsule = 12.9%). Flavor capsule users reported that their preferred varieties mostly tasted like menthol/mint (59% of single capsule users and 23% of double capsule users), cucumber (12% and 27%, respectively) or berries (10% and 22%, respectively). Females were more likely than males to prefer either single or double capsule cigarettes (AOR = 2.26 and 2.01, respectively). Preference for flavor capsules was also higher among younger smokers, e-cigarette users, those who smoke less frequently, and those who recently tried or plan to quit. Smokers who preferred capsules were more likely than non-capsule smokers to perceive their cigarettes as smoother, less harmful, and to smoke to control their appetite.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of capsule use and widespread perceptions of the benefits of capsules over traditional cigarettes may help explain why tobacco control policies have not reduced smoking prevalence in Mexico.ImplicationsFlavor capsules are rapidly growing in popularity in many countries around the world, including Mexico. This study found that more Mexican adult smokers prefer brand varieties with capsules (60%) than without capsules (40%), that flavor capsule use strongly correlates with menthol cigarette use, and that perceived flavors of capsules range widely. Flavor capsule smokers have more positive smoking expectancies (eg, lower risk perceptions, dietary control) than noncapsule smokers. Capsules appeal particularly to women, young adults, less frequent smokers, and those who recently tried to quit. Policies should consider banning flavors in cigarettes, including capsules and other filter innovations.

Dataset Information

Social Interactions as a Source of Information about E-Cigarettes: A Study of U.S. Adult Smokers.

Publications

Social Interactions as a Source of Information about E-Cigarettes: A Study of U.S. Adult Smokers.

Similar Datasets

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