Perceptions about levels of harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes relative to cigarettes, and associations with relative e-cigarette harm perceptions, e-cigarette use and interest.

Introduction:
This text summarizes a research study on perceptions about levels of harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes and associations with relative e-cigarette harm perceptions, e-cigarette use and interest. The study was conducted using an online cross-sectional survey of adults and young adults in the United States. The study measured perceived levels of harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes and assessed associations with perceived harmfulness of using e-cigarettes versus cigarettes and current e-cigarette use and use interest.

Key Points:

* The study found that approximately 20% of all participants believed e-cigarettes contain fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes, while 35.6% of adult smokers and 24.9% of young adult non-smokers responded 'do not know'.
* Participants more frequently reported 'do not know' to the chemicals item than the harm item.
* approximately half of those who believed e-cigarettes contain fewer harmful chemicals also believed e-cigarettes are less harmful than cigarettes.
* Both beliefs were associated with higher odds of interest in using e-cigarettes and past 30-day e-cigarette use for adults who smoke, but not for young adult non-smokers.
* Measuring comparative perceptions of e-cigarette/cigarette chemical exposure may be important because e-cigarette communications often directly refer to chemicals.
* The study suggests that addressing beliefs about harmful chemicals from e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes may be important for any potential public health efforts aimed at encouraging switching to e-cigarettes as a harm reduction vehicle for adults who smoke cigarettes.
* The study findings may also be related to people's lack of knowledge about the role of combustion in the development and exposure to chemicals in cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding perceptions about levels of harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes and their associations with relative e-cigarette harm perceptions, e-cigarette use and interest. The findings suggest that addressing beliefs about harmful chemicals from e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes may be important for any potential public health efforts aimed at encouraging switching to e-cigarettes as a harm reduction vehicle for adults who smoke cigarettes. The study also underscores the need for improving public knowledge about the role of combustion in the development and exposure to chemicals in cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for regulators, policymakers, and public health practitioners in their efforts to reduce the harm caused by tobacco products.

Wackowski Oa, Bover Manderski MT, Gratale SK, Weiger CV, O’Connor RJ. Perceptions about levels of harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes relative to cigarettes, and associations with relative e-cigarette harm perceptions, e-cigarette use and interest. addiction (abingdon, England). Published online May 23, 2023. doi:10.1111/add.16258