Tackling Smoker Misperceptions About E-cigarettes Using Expert Videos.
Nicotine Tob Res
; 23(11): 1848-1854, 2021 10 07.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34013354
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The pervasive misperception that e-cigarettes are equally or more harmful than combustible cigarettes is a barrier to current smokers switching to e-cigarettes. To tackle misperceptions, public health bodies are using informational videos, although their efficacy is unknown.METHODS:
In our online study, current UK smokers who do not vape (n = 382) were randomized to view either (1) a Cancer Research UK (CRUK) text-only video; (2) a video featuring leading e-cigarette experts (expert); or (3) a no video control condition, and then completed questions regarding e-cigarette harm perceptions.RESULTS:
Compared to the control condition, participants in the CRUK condition, and especially those in the expert condition had more accurate harm perceptions of e-cigarettes and had more accurate knowledge of e-cigarette constituents. In the expert condition, 67% of individuals reported they would try an e-cigarette in a future quit attempt, compared with 51% in the CRUK condition and 35% in the control condition.CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings are encouraging in the face of mounting evidence that e-cigarette misperceptions are increasing. Whilst misperceptions are often characterized as resistant to correction, we find that carefully designed public health information videos have the potential to promote a more accurate, informed view of e-cigarettes, and encourage intended e-cigarette use among UK smokers. Importantly, we find this among current smokers who do not vape, a group often reported as having the highest levels of misperceptions and as having the most to gain from accurate e-cigarette perceptions. IMPLICATIONS There is mounting evidence that e-cigarette misperceptions are increasing, particularly among smokers who do not vape, a group who have most to gain from accurate information about e-cigarettes. Misperceptions are often characterized as difficult to change and there is relatively little research on how to correct e-cigarette misperceptions. Our research in the UK shows that, compared to controls, e-cigarette misperceptions can be corrected among those smokers who are shown carefully constructed expert videos. This work has important implications for the development and dissemination of these important messages.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Productos de Tabaco
/
Sistemas Electrónicos de Liberación de Nicotina
/
Vapeo
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nicotine Tob Res
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido