Trends in Trust in the Sources of Health Information on E-Cigarettes Among US Adults, 2015-2017

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate recent levels and trends in trust in sources of health information on e-cigarettes in the United States.Methods. We obtained data from nationally representative samples of adults in 2015 (n = 5389), 2016 (n = 5273), and 2017 (n = 5389) that reported trust in 13 sources of health information on e-cigarettes in the United States. We used weighted linear regression models to examine temporal trends in trust levels.Results. Doctors, health organizations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health experts and scientists, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and family and friends were trusted, whereas news media, e-cigarette users, social media, vape shop employees, and e-cigarette and cigarette companies were distrusted. From 2015 to 2017, trust significantly increased for CDC, FDA, health experts and scientists, and news media (Ps < .01). Trust also increased for NIH between 2016 and 2017 (P < .01).Conclusions. US adults trust public health sources and distrust entities with commercial interest in e-cigarettes. This suggests that evidence-based messaging and information on health effects of e-cigarettes from public health professionals can effectively counter e-cigarette promotion and improve public understanding about e-cigarettes.

FIGURE 1—

Trends in the Trust in the Sources of Information on E-Cigarettes in the Total Samples: United States, 2015–2017 Note. CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA = US Food and Drug Administration; NIH = National Institutes of Health. We used weighted linear regression models to examine the temporal trends. Data were from nationally representative surveys of noninstitutionalized adults in the United States from 2015 to 2017. Negative means indicate distrusted sources, and positive means indicate trusted sources. Both linear and quadratic trends were significant for CDC, FDA, and health experts and scientists (Ps < .01). News media showed significant linear trend only (P < .01). Trust scores for the NIH also increased significantly between 2016 and 2017 (P < .01).