association of Vaping Identity and e-Cigarette Perceptions among Young adults Who Vape.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the association between vaping identity and e-cigarette perceptions among young adults. The study aims to understand how vaping identity influences trust in health information sources and e-cigarette harm perceptions and behaviors.

Key Points:

* The study surveyed 252 young adults who currently vape, measuring their vaping identity, trusted sources of e-cigarette health information, e-cigarette harm perceptions, and intentions to abstain from vaping.
* higher vaping identity was associated with lower trust in government health agencies and medical doctors and higher trust in tobacco and e-cigarette companies.
* higher vaping identity was associated with lower e-cigarette harm perceptions, lower perceived likelihood of developing e-cigarette-related diseases, and lower intentions to abstain from vaping.
* Cigarette smoking status did not influence the association between vaping identity and the outcomes.
* Young adults who smoke cigarettes and use e-cigarettes as an alternative or a cessation aid may not internalize vaping as part of their social identity.
* Future research should investigate the differences between short- and long-term risk perceptions and the potential interaction effects between vaping identity and reasons for vaping.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of vaping identity in shaping young adults' e-cigarette perceptions and behaviors. Public health campaigns can leverage messages that focus on reducing the credibility of the tobacco industry to prevent young adults from developing a vaping identity, which can help increase vaping cessation. The findings suggest that vaping identity is a critical factor in e-cigarette use and harm perceptions, and public health campaigns should consider this in their messaging strategies.

Lee DN, Liu J, Oduguwa K, Stevens EM. association of Vaping Identity and e-Cigarette Perceptions among Young adults Who Vape. Substance use & misuse. Published online June 18, 2023:1-7. doi:10.1080/10826084.2023.2223286