Monitoring harm perceptions of smokeless tobacco products among U.S. adults: Health Information National Trends Survey 2012, 2014, 2015

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the harm perceptions of smokeless tobacco products among U.S. adults. The study aims to assess changes in smokeless tobacco harm perceptions over time and identify factors associated with these perceptions. The findings of this study can inform tobacco regulatory and prevention efforts.

Key Points:

* The study used data from three cycles of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) conducted in 2012, 2014, and 2015.
* The primary dependent variable was relative harm perceptions of smokeless tobacco use compared to cigarette smoking.
* The study found that the majority of respondents across cycles did not believe that smokeless tobacco products are less harmful than cigarettes.
* The study identified several factors associated with the belief that smokeless tobacco use is less harmful than cigarettes, including male gender, higher education or income, and tobacco use.
* The study found that the belief that everything causes cancer was significantly associated with relative smokeless tobacco harm perceptions.
* The study observed significant differences in smokeless tobacco harm perceptions across cycles, but did not find an overarching consistent pattern in how these perceptions changed.
* The study controlled for demographic covariates and found that certain demographic characteristics, such as gender, race/ethnicity, and household income, were significantly associated with relative harm perceptions of smokeless tobacco.

Main Message:
The study highlights the complexity of understanding relative harm perceptions of smokeless tobacco and the need for continued monitoring of these trends. The findings can inform tobacco regulatory and prevention efforts by identifying factors associated with harm perceptions and changes in these perceptions over time. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering demographic characteristics in tobacco regulation and prevention initiatives. Overall, the study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to tobacco control that addresses the diverse perceptions and experiences of tobacco users.

Feirman, Shari P., Elisabeth A. Donaldson, Mark Parascandola, Kimberly Snyder, and Cindy Tworek. “Monitoring Harm Perceptions of Smokeless Tobacco Products among U.S. Adults: Health Information National Trends Survey 2012, 2014, 2015.” Addictive Behaviors 77 (February 2018): 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.09.002.