Perceived harm of heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and nicotine replacement therapy compared with conventional cigarettes among ever and current heated tobacco users.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the perceived harm of heated tobacco products (hTPs), e-cigarettes, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) compared to conventional cigarettes among ever and current hTP users. The study aims to understand the relative harm perceptions of these products and how they vary between exclusive and dual/poly-users.

Key Points:

* The study surveyed 1423 ever or current hTP users in hungary.
* 81.2% of the sample were current hTP users, and 78.4% were exclusive hTP users.
* 86.2% of the sample perceived hTPs to be less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
* 79.8% of the sample perceived NRT to be less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
* 45.2% of the sample perceived e-cigarettes to be less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
* Exclusive hTP users were more likely to perceive hTPs and e-cigarettes as less harmful than conventional cigarettes compared to dual/poly-users.
* Older age, higher education level, living in county seats/cities or the capital, daily and exclusive hTP use, and higher hTP dependence level were associated with perceiving hTPs as less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
* Males, past CC and e-cigarette dual users, and higher hTP dependence were associated with perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful than conventional cigarettes.
* Older age and higher hTP dependence were associated with perceiving NRT as less harmful than conventional cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study found that ever and current hTP users have distorted harm perceptions of hTPs, e-cigarettes, and NRT. These misperceptions may hinder smoking cessation efforts and lead to the continued use of harmful tobacco products. Public education about the relative harms of different nicotine and tobacco products is urgently needed.

Pénzes M, Joó T, Urbán R. Perceived harm of heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and nicotine replacement therapy compared with conventional cigarettes among ever and current heated tobacco users. addictive behaviors reports. 2022;15:100432. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100432