Perceived harms and benefits of tobacco, marijuana, and electronic vaporizers among young adults in Colorado: implications for health education and research

Introduction:
This text is a research report on a qualitative study examining how young adults in Colorado perceive and compare the harms and benefits of tobacco, marijuana, and electronic vaporizers. The study focuses on five dimensions of perceived harm: combustion, potency, chemicals, addiction, and source of knowledge. The report highlights the importance of understanding young adults' perceptions of these products in the context of legal marijuana markets.

Key Points:

* The study recruited 32 young adults (aged 18-26) who used tobacco, marijuana, or vaporizers and conducted semi-structured interviews.
* Participants perceived harms and benefits using five dimensions: combustion, potency, chemicals, addiction, and source of knowledge.
* Combustion was seen as more harmful than non-combustible products, and edibles and marijuana concentrates were perceived as more harmful than smoking marijuana flower due to potential overdose risks.
* Products containing chemical additives were seen as more harmful than 'pure' or 'natural' plant products.
* Participants recognized physiological addiction to nicotine but primarily talked about psychological or lifestyle dependence on marijuana.
* Personal experiences, warning labels, campaigns, the media, and opinions of product retailers and medical practitioners affected perceptions of harms and benefits.
* Health educational campaigns could benefit from addressing these dimensions, such as the potency of nicotine and cannabis concentrates and harmful chemicals present in the organic material of tobacco and marijuana.

Main Message:
The study highlights the complex and multidimensional nature of young adults' perceptions of tobacco and marijuana products. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing these dimensions in health educational campaigns and product labeling, particularly in legal marijuana markets. Descriptors such as 'natural' and 'pure' in the promotion or packaging of tobacco and marijuana products might be misleading, and health campaigns should consider addressing the misperceptions around these terms. Overall, understanding and addressing young adults' perceptions of tobacco and marijuana harms and benefits is crucial for developing effective public health interventions.

Popova, Lucy, Emily Anne McDonald, Sohrab Sidhu, Rachel Barry, Tracey A. Richers Maruyama, Nicolas M. Sheon, and Pamela M. Ling. “Perceived Harms and Benefits of Tobacco, Marijuana, and Electronic Vaporizers among Young Adults in Colorado: Implications for Health Education and Research.” Addiction 112, no. 10 (October 2017): 1821–29. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13854.