Aerosol, vapor, or chemicals? College student perceptions of harm from electronic cigarettes and support for a tobacco-free campus policy. Issue 6 (24th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rossheim, Matthew E.; Zhao, Xiaoquan; Soule, Eric K.; Thombs, Dennis L.; Suzuki, Sumihiro; Ahmad, Asra; Barnett, Tracey E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 70:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1754
• Page End: 1760
• Publication Date: 2022-08-24
• Subjects: College students -- electronic cigarette (ECIG) -- electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) -- tobacco policy -- tobacco-related harm perceptions; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1819293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study is the first to examine the influence of e-cigarette emission phrasing on perceived harm of secondhand exposure, and whether harm perception was associated with support for a tobacco-free campus policy. Participants: In the fall 2018 and spring 2019 semesters, 52 sections of a college English course (N = 791 students) were cluster randomized to one of three conditions ("vapor, " "aerosol, " or "chemicals") assessing harm of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette emissions. Methods: Regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics, tobacco use, and other potential confounders. Results: Compared to the "vapor" condition, "chemicals" and "aerosol" conditions were associated with increased odds of perceiving secondhand exposure to e-cigarettes to be harmful/very harmful (AOR = 2.0, p < 0.01). Greater perceived harm of secondhand e-cigarette exposure was associated with increased odds of supporting a tobacco-free campus policy (AOR = 2.22, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Health campaigns should use accurate terminology to describe e-cigarette emissions, rather than jargon that conveys lower risk.