Perceived Relative Harm of Selected Cigarettes and Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products—A Study of Young People from a Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Rural Area in Poland

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining how adolescents from a rural area in Poland perceive the relative harmfulness of various tobacco and nicotine products. The study highlights the misconceptions and misleading perceptions that young people have about these products, which could influence their uptake and continued use. The key points of the study design and major findings are summarized below.

Key Points:

* The study was conducted among secondary and high school students (aged 13-19) from Piotrkowski district, a socially disadvantaged rural area in central Poland.
* The survey obtained a positive opinion from the Bioethics Committee of Medical University in Lodz and written informed consent from all participants and their parents or legal guardians.
* The questionnaire covered socio-demographic data, smoking behavior, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, knowledge and attitudes towards cigarette use, existing legislation, and prevention activities in this field.
* The study found that adolescents perceived slim cigarettes and menthol cigarettes as less harmful, while water pipes and smokeless tobacco were considered more harmful.
* Boys and girls rated the harmfulness of menthol cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and water pipe differently.
* Smokers and e-cigarette users rated the harmfulness of smokeless tobacco, water pipe, and e-cigarettes differently compared to non-smokers.
* The multivariate linear regression model showed that higher age predicted lower levels of perceived harmfulness in smokeless tobacco and water pipe, and higher levels in e-cigarettes.
* Boys rated harmfulness higher on menthol cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, and lower on water pipe compared to traditional cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study highlights the insufficient and misleading perception of harmfulness of different tobacco/nicotine products available on the Polish market, particularly among adolescents from a socio-economically disadvantaged rural area. The study emphasizes the need for preventive measures to discourage young people from smoking uptake and to ensure that potential consumers can make informed decisions about cigarettes and non-cigarette tobacco products based on objective data. The dissemination of reliable health information is a key tool of public health action to prevent health-compromising behavior over time. Therefore, it is crucial to target adolescents, who are a priority group, and provide them with accurate information about the relative harmfulness of different tobacco/nicotine products.

Kaleta, Dorota, Kinga Polanska, Leokadia Bak-Romaniszyn, and Piotr Wojtysiak. “Perceived Relative Harm of Selected Cigarettes and Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products—A Study of Young People from a Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Rural Area in Poland.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13, no. 9 (September 6, 2016): 885. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13090885.