Discordance between perceived and actual tobacco product use prevalence among US youth: a comparative analysis of electronic and regular cigarettes

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research paper published in the journal Tobacco Control, written by experts in regulatory matters. The paper investigates the perceived and actual tobacco product use prevalence among US youth, specifically focusing on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and regular cigarettes. The study aims to measure the associations between overestimation of e-cigarette and cigarette prevalence and tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors.

Key Points:

* The study used a cross-sectional design with school-based surveys using paper-and-pencil questionnaires.
* The study participants were US 6th-12th graders participating in the 2015 and 2016 National Youth Tobacco Survey.
* The study measured perceived peer use and actual use of e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes.
* The study found that more students overestimated cigarette prevalence (74.0%) than e-cigarette prevalence (61.0%).
* The study found that the associations between e-cigarette-only overestimation and e-cigarette curiosity, susceptibility, ever use, and current use were each significantly larger than the corresponding associations between cigarette-only overestimation and cigarette curiosity, susceptibility, ever use, and current use.
* Despite significant declines in actual e-cigarette use prevalence within each high school grade level during 2015-2016, perceived prevalence increased (11th and 12th grades) or remained unchanged (9th and 10th grades).
* The study concludes that counter-tobacco mass media messages can help denormalize tobacco use among youth.

Main Message:
The main message of the text is that there is a significant gap between perceived and actual tobacco product use prevalence among US youth. This gap is particularly pronounced for e-cigarettes, with more students overestimating e-cigarette prevalence and stronger associations between e-cigarette overestimation and tobacco-related attitudes and behaviors. The study highlights the need for public health media campaigns to provide counter-tobacco messages and denormalize tobacco use behavior among youth. By addressing the perceived norms around tobacco use, we can help reduce tobacco product use among youth and promote a healthier future.

Agaku, Israel Terungwa, Satomi Odani, David Homa, Brian Armour, and Rebecca Glover-Kudon. “Discordance between Perceived and Actual Tobacco Product Use Prevalence among US Youth: A Comparative Analysis of Electronic and Regular Cigarettes.” Tobacco Control 28, no. 2 (March 2019): 212–19. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2017-054113.