Impact of messages about scientific uncertainty on risk perceptions and intentions to use electronic vaping products

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the use of different types of electronic vaping products (EVPs) among adolescents. The study aimed to identify risk factors associated with the use of basic, intermediate, and advanced device types for vaping. The key points and main message of the text are summarized below.

Key Points:

* The study used social media to recruit an online sample of 1508 US adolescents aged 15-17 who reported past 30-day use of EVPs.
* The study assessed tobacco use, beliefs, and knowledge about EVPs and EVP use behavior, including the device type participants use most frequently.
* Most respondents usually used modifiable advanced devices (56.8%).
* Younger age and less frequent vaping were associated with mainly using basic devices.
* Adolescents who were older, male, personally bought their main device, and had ever mixed e-liquids were at elevated risk for usually using advanced devices.

Main Message:
The study suggests that there are distinct profiles of adolescents who use primarily basic, intermediate, or advanced devices. Adolescents who most often use basic devices may be new users experimenting with vaping, whereas adolescents who most often use advanced devices appear to be buying devices for themselves and engaging in risky behaviors such as mixing their own e-liquid. The findings highlight the need for regulators to consider strategies to reduce access to all types of EVPs, such as better enforcement of the current ban on sales to minors. Future research should examine which adolescents are most likely to transition to advanced devices in order to develop targeted interventions.

Pepper, Jessica K., Linda B. Squiers, Susana C. Peinado, Carla M. Bann, Suzanne D. Dolina, Molly M. Lynch, James M. Nonnemaker, and Lauren A. McCormack. “Impact of Messages about Scientific Uncertainty on Risk Perceptions and Intentions to Use Electronic Vaping Products.” Addictive Behaviors 91 (April 2019): 136–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.10.025.