Youth and young adult risk perceptions and behaviours in response to an outbreak of e-cigarette/vaping-associated lung injury (EVaLI) in the USa.

Introduction:
This text is a research article that examines the impact of awareness of a lung injury outbreak associated with e-cigarette use, known as EVaLI, on young people's perceptions and behaviors related to e-cigarettes. The study uses survey data and e-cigarette sales data to draw its conclusions.

Key Points:

* The study found that awareness of EVaLI was associated with perceived risk of lung injury and beliefs about the harmfulness of e-cigarettes among young people.
* Young people with perceptions of lung injury risk and product harm had significantly lower odds of intending to purchase an e-cigarette or vape product in the future.
* among current users, greater odds of intending to quit were observed.
* E-cigarette sales declined significantly during the period when national health officials were disseminating risk information about the potential role of e-cigarettes and vaping products for lung injuries.
* The study used rapid weekly tracking data to measure young people's awareness of the EVaLI outbreak.
* The survey results are cross-sectional and unable to establish a causal direction between self-reported exposure to news reports and increases in risk perceptions and associated behavioral intentions.
* The study includes an analysis of e-cigarette sales which indicates a decline in sales following the announcement of a national EVaLI outbreak investigation.
* Understanding youth and young adult responses to the 2019 EVaLI outbreak can inform the development of effective risk communication strategies concerning new and emerging vape-related conditions.

Main Message:
The main message of the text is that awareness of health risks associated with e-cigarette use can have a significant impact on young people's perceptions and behaviors related to e-cigarettes. The study suggests that risk communication efforts during outbreaks of vaping-related conditions can be effective in reducing e-cigarette use among young people. The results of this study highlight the importance of incorporating messages concerning the uncertain health effects of e-cigarettes and vape products in tobacco control campaigns targeting youth and young adults. It is crucial to be prepared to align messages with public health agencies during outbreaks to effectively communicate health risks and promote behavior change.

Kreslake JM, Diaz MC, Shinaba M, Vallone DM, hair EC. Youth and young adult risk perceptions and behaviours in response to an outbreak of e-cigarette/vaping-associated lung injury (EVaLI) in the USa. Tobacco control. 2022;31(1):88-97. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-056090