The Effect of Conflicting Public Health Guidance on Smokers' and Vapers' E-cigarette Harm Perceptions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

E-cigarettes are increasingly being viewed, incorrectly, as more harmful than cigarettes. This may discourage smokers from switching to e-cigarettes. One potential explanation for these increasingly harmful attitudes is conflicting information presented in the media and online, and from public health bodies.

Aims and methods

In this prospectively registered online study, we aimed to examine the impact of conflicting public health information on smokers' and vapers' e-cigarette harm perceptions. Daily UK smokers who do not vape (n = 334) and daily UK vapers (n = 368) were randomized to receive either: (1) a consistent harm reduction statement from two different public health bodies (Harm Reduction), (2) a consistent negative statement about e-cigarette harms from t

SUBMITTER: Svenson MRE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9653072 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature