Assertive communication about others' smoking and vaping in public venues: Results from a National Survey of US adults. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bigman, Cabral A.; Mello, Susan; Sanders-Jackson, Ashley; Tan, Andy S.L.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 87(2018)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 199
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Assertiveness -- Health communication -- Secondhand smoking -- Smoking -- 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.2018.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: This study describes prevalence and correlates of US adults' intentions to engage in assertive communication (i.e., speak up) about others' smoking and vaping in public venues. Methods: Participants from a nationally representative online survey of 1551 US adults conducted October–December 2013 reported intentions to ask others not to smoke/vape in three types of public venues (restaurants, bars/casinos/nightclubs, and parks). We examined weighted prevalence of intentions and conducted weighted logistic regression. Results: Fifty-two percent of participants reported being likely to ask someone not to smoke in at least one venue compared with 19% for vaping. Assertive communication intentions for smoking in restaurants (48%), bars/casinos/nightclubs (35%), and parks (32%) were higher than for vaping (16%, 14%, and 12%, respectively). Significant correlates of assertive communication intentions in one or more venues were current smoking status, ever trying e-cigarettes, gender, age, health status, political ideology, and party identification. Conclusions: US adults were more willing to ask others not to smoke than vape. Intentions to speak up about smoking and vaping differed by venue, demographics, and cigarette/e-cigarette use. These findings help establish an evidence base to inform policymakers in developing strategies to promote compliance with smoke-free and vape-free laws. Highlights: Surveys US adults' assertive communication about smoking and vaping in public venues. Finds variation in US adults' intentions to voice objections to smoking and vaping. Assertive communication intentions were higher for smoking (52%) than vaping (19%). Willingness to speak up varied by demographics, venue, and respondents' product use.