Public support for selected e-cigarette regulations and associations with overall information exposure and contradictory information exposure about e-cigarettes: Findings from a national survey of U.S. adults

Introduction:
This text presents the findings of a national survey conducted in the United States to assess public support for various e-cigarette regulations, and the relationship between policy support and exposure to e-cigarette information and contradictory information from various sources. The study aimed to provide insights for policymakers and tobacco control advocates on which policies may meet some public resistance and therefore require efforts to gain public support.

Key points:

* The study surveyed a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults to measure the level of support for six different e-cigarette policies, including banning e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas, prohibiting sales to youth, requiring addiction warnings, banning flavors, requiring labeling nicotine and harmful ingredients, and banning youth-targeted marketing.
* Exposure to overall e-cigarette information from media and interpersonal sources was found to be negatively associated with support for certain e-cigarette policies, particularly those related to sales to youth, labeling nicotine and harmful ingredients, and addiction warnings.
* Exposure to contradictory e-cigarette information was negatively associated with support for prohibiting sales to youth and requiring labeling nicotine and harmful ingredients.
* Other correlates that significantly predicted policy support included education, e-cigarette use status, smoking status, and party identification.
* The study highlights the potential impact of conflicting information about e-cigarettes on public support for e-cigarette regulations, and the need for strategies to improve public understanding of the rationale and intent of specific regulations prior to introducing them.

Main message:
The study suggests that exposure to overall and conflicting information about e-cigarettes in the public sphere is associated with reduced support for certain proposed e-cigarette policies. The findings are important for policymakers and tobacco control advocates involved in promulgation of e-cigarette policies, as they provide insights on which policies may meet some public resistance and therefore require efforts to gain public support. The results highlight the need for effective communication strategies to address conflicting information about e-cigarettes and promote public understanding and support for evidence-based e-cigarette policies.

Tan, Andy S.L., Chul-joo Lee, and Cabral A. Bigman. “Public Support for Selected E-Cigarette Regulations and Associations with Overall Information Exposure and Contradictory Information Exposure about e-Cigarettes: Findings from a National Survey of U.S. Adults.” Preventive Medicine 81 (December 2015): 268–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.09.009.