US adult Smokers’ Perceived Risk of Fire or Explosion-Related Injury Caused by Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the relationship between US adult smokers' perceived risk of fire or explosion-related injury caused by electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and their decisions about using ENDS for quitting smoking. The study uses data from the 2017 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey of a national probability sample of US adults.

Key Points:

* The study finds that a medium/high perceived risk of injury from exploding ENDS is associated with lower odds of current ENDS use, perceiving ENDS to be at least as harmful as cigarettes, and feeling that the negatives of ENDS use outweigh the positives.
* Product standards, improved product labeling, and education about how to properly use, charge, and store ENDS can help protect consumers from injury.
* Communication efforts should seek to fully inform combustible cigarette smokers about both the absolute health risks of ENDS, including risk of explosions, and their relative risks compared with those of cigarette smoking.
* While the health risks of cigarette smoking are well established, the health risks of ENDS use are less known.
* ENDS products have recently been associated with the risk of exploding or catching fire, thereby causing thermal, chemical burn, and blast injuries to users.
* Reports of explosions have mainly been anecdotal and have not been systematically documented over time.
* The graphic nature of media coverage of exploding ENDS incidents may present a prohibitive risk to some combustible cigarette smokers beyond that of illness or disease risks, thereby discouraging the use of ENDS to attempt cessation.

Main Message:
The main message of the text is that communication efforts around ENDS should not only focus on their potential health benefits but also address the perceived risks associated with their use, including the risk of explosions. By fully informing smokers about the absolute and relative risks of ENDS, public health officials can help them make informed decisions about using these products for cessation. additionally, implementing product standards and improving product labeling and education can help protect consumers from injury.

Nyman aL, Weaver SR, huang J, Slovic P, ashley DL, Eriksen MP. US adult Smokers’ Perceived Risk of Fire or Explosion-Related Injury Caused by Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. Public health reports (Washington, DC : 1974). 2019;134(6):675-684. doi:10.1177/0033354919878433