The National Cancer Institute (NCI) released a new Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) Brief that examines e-cigarette perceptions and whether perceived harm and addictiveness are associated with use of e-cigarettes among U.S. adults. Results from a recently published study indicate that individuals who believed e-cigarettes were less addictive than conventional cigarettes were more likely to try e-cigarettes compared to those who believed that e-cigarettes were just as addictive or more addictive than conventional cigarettes. Additionally, 34.5% of adults “don’t know” if e-cigarettes are more or less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Researchers also found that 19% of adults have tried e-cigarettes at least once. In response to the data, the HINTS brief notes that increasing public awareness of the fact that e-cigarettes usually contain nicotine and clarifying the addictive nature of nicotine could be an effective communication strategy to increase public understanding.
- Ann Tucker