Flavorings and Perceived Harm and Addictiveness of E-cigarettes among Youth

Introduction:
This text is a study on the perceptions and beliefs of young people regarding the harm and addictiveness of e-cigarettes. The study also examines the relationship between these perceptions and the use of flavored e-cigarettes. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of how perceptions of e-cigarettes may impact their use among youth.

Key Points:

* The study is a cross-sectional analysis of data from a rapid response surveillance system of 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students (n=3704) in Texas.
* The study found that youth who currently used e-cigarettes had higher odds of reporting that e-cigarettes were "not at all" harmful and "not at all" addictive compared to non-current users.
* Youth who had ever used e-cigarettes also had higher odds of reporting that e-cigarettes were "not at all" harmful and "not at all" addictive compared to never users.
* The study found that the vast majority of current e-cigarette users (88.4%) reported use of flavored e-cigarettes.
* Youth who currently used e-cigarettes had higher odds of reporting flavored e-cigarettes as "less harmful" than non-flavored e-cigarettes compared to non-current users.
* Youth who had ever used e-cigarettes also had higher odds of reporting that flavored e-cigarettes were "less harmful" than non-flavored products compared to never users.
* The study found that over half of youth (55.5%) reported that e-cigarettes were "not at all" addictive.
* The study controlled for sex, grade, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cigarette or other tobacco product use in their analysis.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding how perceptions of harm and addictiveness may impact the use of e-cigarettes among youth. The findings suggest that youth who currently or have ever used e-cigarettes are more likely to perceive them as less harmful and less addictive. Additionally, the majority of current e-cigarette users report using flavored products, and these users are more likely to perceive flavored e-cigarettes as less harmful. These perceptions may contribute to the use of e-cigarettes among youth and highlight the need for regulations and education on the potential harm and addictiveness of these products.

Cooper, Maria, Melissa B. Harrell, Adriana Pérez, Joanne Delk, and Cheryl L. Perry. “Flavorings and Perceived Harm and Addictiveness of E-Cigarettes among Youth.” Tobacco Regulatory Science 2, no. 3 (July 1, 2016): 278–89. https://doi.org/10.18001/TRS.2.3.7.