Assessing the Impact of Conflicting Health Warning Information on Intentions to Use E-Cigarettes -An Application of the Heuristic-Systematic Model. Issue 10 (2nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Katz, Sherri Jean; Erkkinen, Meghan; Lindgren, Bruce; Hatsukami, Dorothy
• Is Part Of: Journal of health communication. Volume 23:Issue 10/11(2018)
• Page Start: 874
• Page End: 885
• Publication Date: 2018-11-02
• Subjects: Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; 610.14
• DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2018.1533052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1081-0730

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of this study is to determine how nonsmokers perceive conflicting information when a modified risk statement is included along with a warning label on e-cigarette packages. We propose an application of the heuristic-systematic model to test whether this conflicting information leads to more or less active processing. As part of a larger inquiry into e-cigarette labeling, we present an experiment ( n = 303) in which we test this model with nonsmokers, measuring ambiguity perceptions, counter-arguing, reduced effectiveness of the message, and behavioral intentions. Results demonstrate that the addition of a modified risk statement on the package with the warning label increases ambiguity perceptions which can lead to reduced effectiveness of warning labels and reduced behavioral intentions to avoid using e-cigarettes among nonsmokers. While the systematic and heuristic pathways are both explanatory, heuristic processing provides the better fit.