Perceived Harm, Addictiveness, and Social Acceptability of Tobacco Products and Marijuana Among Young Adults: Marijuana, Hookah, and Electronic Cigarettes Win

Introduction:
This article examines the perceptions of health risks, addictiveness, and social acceptability of various tobacco products and marijuana among young adults. The study also explores concurrent use and correlates of these perceptions, including socio-demographics, social influence factors, and individual use of tobacco products and marijuana.

Key Points:

* The study was conducted among 2,002 young adults (18-25 years old) attending two universities in the southeastern United States.
* Participants reported high rates of concurrent use of tobacco products and marijuana.
* Marijuana was perceived as the least harmful, least addictive, and most socially acceptable product, while cigarettes and smokeless tobacco were perceived as the most harmful, addictive, and least socially acceptable.
* Electronic cigarettes and hookah were perceived as less harmful, less addictive, and more socially acceptable than cigarettes and smokeless tobacco but more harmful, addictive, and less socially acceptable than marijuana.
* Perceptions of harm and addictiveness were correlated across tobacco products and marijuana, but perceptions of addictiveness and social acceptability were only correlated for hookah and marijuana.
* Tobacco use and related social factors were positively associated with perceptions of marijuana, but marijuana use and related social factors were not associated with perceptions of any tobacco product.
* Research is needed to document the health risks and addictive nature of emerging tobacco products and marijuana and to evaluate efforts to communicate such risks to youth.

Main Message:
The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the health risks and addictive nature of emerging tobacco products and marijuana, particularly among young adults. The findings suggest that marketing efforts promoting electronic cigarettes and hookah as safe and socially acceptable have been effective, while policy changes have altered perceptions of marijuana and related social norms. To protect the health of young adults, it is crucial to continue researching and communicating the risks associated with these products.

Berg, Carla J., Erin Stratton, Gillian L. Schauer, Michael Lewis, Yanwen Wang, Michael Windle, and Michelle Kegler. “Perceived Harm, Addictiveness, and Social Acceptability of Tobacco Products and Marijuana Among Young Adults: Marijuana, Hookah, and Electronic Cigarettes Win.” Substance Use & Misuse 50, no. 1 (January 2, 2015): 79–89. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2014.958857.