How did beliefs and perceptions about e-cigarettes change after national news coverage of the EVALI outbreak?

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Exposure to media content can shape public opinions about tobacco. In early September 2019, the outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) became headline news in the United States.

Methods

In August and September 2019, we conducted two cross-sectional online surveys with current and former smokers assessing attitudes and beliefs about e-cigarettes. Study one (n = 865) was collected before the EVALI outbreak was widely covered and study two (n = 344) was collected after the outbreak had become nation-wide news. We examined differences in perceptions and beliefs between time points.

Results

E-cigarette harm perceptions increased between study one (mean = 2.67) and study two (mean = 2.90, p < .05). Ever-users of e-cigaret

SUBMITTER: Morgan JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8087005 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature