Summary
Introduction: This article examines socioeconomic and racial/ethnic differences in transitions to e-cigarette use and harm perceptions of e-cigarette and cigarette use among a representative sample of U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes. The study uses data from five waves of the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study from 2013 to 2019.
Key Points:
* The study finds that 1.7% of adults transitioned to exclusive e-cigarette use after one year.
* Transitions to exclusive e-cigarette use were more common among adults who were non-hispanic White and/or had higher SES.
* hispanic and non-hispanic Black adults and adults with lower SES were more likely to view e-cigarettes as equally or more harmful than cigarettes, which was associated with lower odds of transitioning from exclusive cigarette smoking to exclusive e-cigarette use.
* Sociodemographic differences in exclusive e-cigarette uptake may contribute to widening disparities in smoking-related diseases.
* The study also notes that most adults in the study perceived e-cigarettes to be equally or more harmful than cigarettes, and that misperceptions about e-cigarette harm could deter adults who smoke from switching to less harmful modes of nicotine consumption.
Main Message: The study highlights the importance of considering the impact of tobacco regulatory efforts on cigarette smoking disparities, including equitable access to e-cigarettes for cigarette cessation. It suggests that policymakers should weigh the potential impact of taxes on e-cigarettes on socioeconomic disparities in e-cigarette use as a cessation tool, and consider harm reduction messaging around e-cigarettes from reputable health agencies. The study also emphasizes the need for further research on the potential health benefits of e-cigarette substitution for populations disproportionately burdened by smoking-related diseases.
Citation
harlow aF, Xie W, Goghari aR, et al. Sociodemographic Differences in E-Cigarette Uptake and Perceptions of harm. american journal of preventive medicine. Published online March 15, 2023. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2023.03.009
