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. 2015 Dec 1:157:106-11.
doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.10.014. Epub 2015 Oct 22.

Perceived relative harm of electronic cigarettes over time and impact on subsequent use. A survey with 1-year and 2-year follow-ups

Leonie S Brose  1 , Jamie Brown  2 , Sara C Hitchman  3 , Ann McNeill  3
Affiliations

Perceived relative harm of electronic cigarettes over time and impact on subsequent use. A survey with 1-year and 2-year follow-ups

Leonie S Brose et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. .

Abstract

Introduction: Media presentations of e-cigarettes may affect perception of the devices which may influence use.

Objectives: To assess in a cohort of past-year smokers (1) if perceived harm of e-cigarettes relative to cigarettes changed over time, (2) predictors of perceived relative harm, (3) if perceived relative harm predicted subsequent e-cigarette use among never-users.

Methods: Longitudinal web-based survey of a general population sample of British smokers and ex-smokers, waves in 2012 (n=4553), 2013 and 2014 (44%, 31% response rate, respectively). Changes over time were assessed using Friedman and McNemar tests, n=1204. Perceived relative harm at wave 3 was regressed onto perceived relative harm at waves 1 and 2, while adjusting for socio-demographics and change in smoking and e-cigarette status, n=1204. Wave 2 e-cigarette use among 1588 wave 1 never-users was regressed onto wave 1 socio-demographics, smoking status and perceived relative harm.

Results: Perceived relative harm changed (χ(2)=20.67, p<0.001); the proportion perceiving e-cigarettes to be less harmful than cigarettes decreased from 2013 to 2014 (χ(2)=16.55, p<0.001). Previous perception of e-cigarettes as less harmful, having tried e-cigarettes and having stopped smoking between waves predicted perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes. Perceiving e-cigarettes to be less harmful than cigarettes predicted subsequent use, adjusting for other characteristics (OR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.08-1.80, p=0.011).

Conclusion: Among a cohort of smokers and ex-smokers, accurately perceiving e-cigarettes as less harmful than smoking predicted subsequent e-cigarette use in never-users; this perception declined over time. Clear information on the relative harm of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is needed.

Keywords: Behavior; Electronic cigarettes; Harm; Nicotine; Tobacco.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Perceived harm of electronic cigarettes compared with cigarettes, n = 1204. Error bars: 95% confidence intervals using the Wilson procedure (Newcombe, 1998).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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