Abstract
Scientific evidence on the health risks associated with using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is rapidly evolving. Perceived harm of ENDS is also changing rapidly. The percentage of US adults, including current smokers, who perceive using ENDS as equally or more harmful than smoking cigarettes increased between 2012 and 2015, with rates stable through 2017.1 Comparative harm perceptions are important factors associated with smokers’ decisions to use ENDS2,3 and have implications for population health. This study uses data from late 2018 to assess changes in US adults’ comparative harm perceptions of ENDS and cigarettes after a year characterized by intense public debate and regulatory efforts to restrict youth access to ENDS.
Highlights
Scientific evidence on the health risks associated with using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is rapidly evolving
Data were obtained from the Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Surveys conducted in August through September 2017 and November through December 2018 by the Georgia State University Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science
Between 2017 and 2018, the percentage of US adults who perceived ENDS to be less harmful than cigarettes decreased (29.3% [95% CI, 27.8%-30.7%] vs 25.8% [95% CI, 24.4%-27.2%]), while there was an increase in the proportion of US adults who perceived ENDS to be more harmful (2.4% [95% CI, 2.0%-2.9%] vs 4.4% [95% CI, 3.9%-5.1%]) or much more harmful (1.9% [95% CI, 1.5%-2.5%] vs 3.7% [95% CI, 3.1%4.4%]) (Table)
Summary
Scientific evidence on the health risks associated with using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is rapidly evolving. Perceived harm of ENDS is changing rapidly. The percentage of US adults, including current smokers, who perceive using ENDS as or more harmful than smoking cigarettes increased between 2012 and 2015, with rates stable through 2017.1 Comparative harm perceptions are important factors associated with smokers’ decisions to use ENDS2,3 and have implications for population health. This study uses data from late 2018 to assess changes in US adults’ comparative harm perceptions of ENDS and cigarettes after a year characterized by intense public debate and regulatory efforts to restrict youth access to ENDS. Author affiliations and article information are listed at the end of this article
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