adoption of E-Cigarettes among Older adults Who Smoke to Reduce harm and Narrow age-Related Disparities: an application of the health Belief Model.

Introduction:
This text is a commentary published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research that discusses the adoption of e-cigarettes among older adults who smoke as a harm reduction approach. The authors apply the health Belief Model to understand the factors that influence the use of e-cigarettes among older adults and propose health communication strategies to address misperceptions and increase the adoption of e-cigarettes in this population.

Key Points:

* The prevalence of combusted cigarette smoking among older adults has remained stagnant, and this population faces a high burden of smoking-related diseases.
* harm reduction approaches, such as the use of e-cigarettes, may be beneficial for older adults who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking.
* however, current data shows low prevalence of e-cigarette use among older adults.
* Misperceptions regarding the risks of nicotine and the relative harms of combusted cigarettes versus e-cigarettes contribute to low uptake of e-cigarettes among older adults.
* health communication approaches can be used to correct misperceptions about nicotine and the relative harms of combusted cigarettes versus e-cigarettes.
* The authors propose a comprehensive approach to health communication based on the health Belief Model, which includes education about the potential benefits of switching completely from combusted cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
* More research is needed to better understand the knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of older adults regarding nicotine-containing products and potential barriers to switching completely to e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The main message of this text is the importance of addressing misperceptions and increasing the adoption of e-cigarettes among older adults who smoke. The authors propose a comprehensive approach to health communication based on the health Belief Model to achieve this goal. The study highlights the need for more research to understand the unique considerations of older adults and inform the development of age-relevant interventions. By addressing the tobacco use disparities among older adults, we can ultimately improve their health outcomes.

Rubenstein D, Denlinger-apte RL, Cornacchione Ross J, McClernon FJ. adoption of E-Cigarettes among Older adults Who Smoke to Reduce harm and Narrow age-Related Disparities: an application of the health Belief Model. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2023;25(6):1212-1214. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntad016