Examining e-cigarette perspectives before and after the EVALI peak in cases. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alber, Julia M.; Conover, Sydney; Marts, Erika; Ganjooi, Kimiya; Grossman, Suzanne
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 119(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Electronic cigarettes -- Tobacco use -- Adults -- EVALI -- Vaping; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106939
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Highlights: E-cigarettes were described as unappealing before and after the peak of EVALI. Comments about e-cigarettes being harmful/unhealthy increased after EVALI. Beliefs about e-cigarettes being less harmful than tobacco are still prominent. Convenience and the discrete smell are both appealing factors to e-cigarettes. Abstract: Introduction: The use of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults has greatly increased, with national media outlets drawing attention to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) hospitalizations. Methods: U.S. adults completed an online survey where they were asked to describe their perceptions towards e-cigarettes. There were two surveys collected using separate samples, with one being before the peak of EVALI cases in Time 1: July 2019 (n = 521) and one collected after the peak of EVALI cases in Time 2: October 2019 (n = 536). Results: Four themes emerged including describing e-cigarettes as appealing, unappealing, comparing them to other tobacco products, and generally having experience with e-cigarettes. Fewer participants described e-cigarettes as appealing in terms of smell, flavor, and taste in Time 2, after the peak of EVALI cases. Both samples described the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes, with a higher percent describing potential harms in Time 2. Participants in Time 2 less frequently described e-cigarettes as a good alternative to traditional cigarettes. Conclusions: Perceptions towards e-cigarettes vary among adults who use or do not use e-cigarettes; however, this study reflected an increase in awareness of the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes after the peak of EVALI cases. Additionally, results suggest that there may have been a decrease in adults who found e-cigarettes appealing. Determining perceptions towards e-cigarettes, especially after growing awareness of the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes, is useful in informing future policies and public health campaigns.