E-cigarette outcome expectancies among nationally representative samples of adolescents and young adults.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the relationship between outcome expectancies and e-cigarette use among nationally representative samples of adolescents and young adults. The study aimed to understand what positive and negative outcome expectancies were associated with use of e-cigarettes among these populations.

Key Points:

* The study used a nationally representative sample of adolescents and young adults from all 50 states, with a total of 3,517 participants.
* The study measured positive and negative outcome expectancies related to e-cigarette use, including enjoyment, social influences, advantage over cigarettes, health concerns, and smoker association.
* The study found that expected enjoyment was consistently associated with use of e-cigarettes in both adolescent and young adult populations.
* Health concerns were associated with a lower likelihood of e-cigarette use among both adolescents and young adults.
* Social influence outcome expectancies were not significantly associated with e-cigarette use in either group after controlling for demographics, tobacco use, and other outcome expectancies.
* Previous use of traditional cigarettes, waterpipe tobacco, and cigarillos were significantly associated with e-cigarette use in both adolescents and young adults.
* The study suggests that beliefs about the harms of e-cigarettes likely play a role in their use, and increasing perceptions of harm from e-cigarettes should be an immediate priority for youth tobacco prevention and education efforts.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the beliefs and attitudes that contribute to e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults. The findings suggest that expected enjoyment is a major factor in e-cigarette use, while health concerns are associated with a lower likelihood of use. The study also emphasizes the need for education and policy solutions to reduce the appeal of e-cigarettes to youth. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for regulators and policymakers seeking to address the growing trend of e-cigarette use among young people.

Barker JO, Kelley DE, Noar SM, Reboussin BA, Cornacchione Ross J, Sutfin EL. E-cigarette outcome expectancies among nationally representative samples of adolescents and young adults. Substance Use & Misuse. 2019;54(12):1970-1979. doi:10.1080/10826084.2019.1624773