Adolescents' Perceptions of Health Risks, Social Risks, and Benefits Differ Across Tobacco Products

Introduction:
This article, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, examines adolescents' perceptions of the risks and benefits associated with various tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, chew, and hookah. The study also assesses whether and how these perceptions differ by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and previous experience with tobacco. The key findings provide valuable insights for clinicians, public health advocates, and policymakers aiming to address tobacco use among youth effectively.

Key points:

* Adolescents perceive significant differences in risks and benefits across various tobacco products.
* Cigarettes are generally perceived as the most risky, followed by cigars and chew, while hookah and e-cigarettes are rated as least risky.
* Hookah and e-cigarettes are perceived as more likely to make users look cool or fit in, while cigars and chew are viewed as least likely to confer these benefits.
* Older adolescents and those with tobacco experience hold lower perceptions of risk.
* There are no significant interaction effects by race/ethnicity or gender.
* Comprehensive messaging is needed to address the risks of all tobacco products, especially hookah and e-cigarettes.
* Public health campaigns should also debunk perceived benefits of tobacco products, particularly hookah and e-cigarettes.

Main message:
The study highlights the need for tailored and comprehensive messaging to address the diverse perceptions of risks and benefits associated with various tobacco products among adolescents. Clinicians and public health advocates must prioritize educating youth about the risks of hookah and e-cigarettes, which are often perceived as less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Simultaneously, public health campaigns should debunk myths and perceived benefits of tobacco products to discourage experimentation and use among adolescents.

Roditis, Maria, Kevin Delucchi, David Cash, and Bonnie Halpern-Felsher. “Adolescents’ Perceptions of Health Risks, Social Risks, and Benefits Differ Across Tobacco Products.” Journal of Adolescent Health 58, no. 5 (May 2016): 558–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.01.012.