Electronic Cigarettes Increasing in Popularity and Acceptability as Perception of Health Risks Remains Low

MCLEAN, Va., Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since the debut of electronic (e)-cigarettes in the U.S. in 2007, the use of these devices ? called "vaping"? has steadily increased over the years. In fact, a 2015 study showed vaping increased among high school-age students' 900 percent over four years. Studies show people are more likely to view public vaping as acceptable than public smoking, the question is why?  Recently many college campuses around the country have banned the use of vaping nicotine products (VPNs) and e-cigarettes on school grounds, these new smoking trends or alternatives to traditional cigarette and tobacco products are causing many regulatory controversies among this young age group.

A new study published in Risk Analysis: An International Journal found that people's opinions, of public vaping are heavily influenced by what they see around them, how risky they think it is and what they think about addiction.

E-cigarettes are often regarded as more socially acceptable than traditional tobacco and smoking, particularly among college students. Many people do not view e-cigarettes as addictive and their ever-present usage in public spaces has been a positive social cue supporting their acceptability, according to the study.

The study, "Influence of risk perception on attitudes and norms regarding electronic cigarettes," revealed that a person's thoughts on how risky and potentially addictive e-cigarettes are affected their perceived acceptability of public vaping. However, people who had greater exposure to e-cigarette use were less likely to be concerned about the risks of these devices.

To better understand how people's thoughts and feelings influenced how risky they thought e-cigarettes are, the researchers conducted an online survey with 395 undergraduate students at a western university.

Study participants were asked whether public use of e-cigarettes should be allowed in all areas, in restricted areas or not at all at 10 separate location types. Social cues were measured by asking, "Over the last semester where have you seen others use an e-cigarette?" Participants were also asked to indicate the frequency at which they noticed vaping in five different locations. Two items also were used to measure whether people thought e-cigarettes were addictive, each on five-point agree/disagree scales.  

The results showed that people with greater nicotine exposure were also more likely to accept e-cigarettes. People were also more likely to accept e-cigarettes if they viewed them as less addictive. Those who were more worried about addiction also believed e-cigarettes were riskier. 

"Of importance to the college population especially, is the cohort of emerging adults that have demonstrated a strong capacity for e-cigarette experimentation and uptake in high school," says Craig Trumbo, lead author and professor at Colorado State University. "As many of these individuals head to college there is potential for increased normalization of vaping."

The widespread social acceptability of e-cigarettes may make it difficult for lawmakers to restrict public vaping. 

According to the study, the public generally believes that these cigarettes do not pose any second-hand exposure risks. As evidence emerges, regulators will be faced with reversing strongly held perceptions to restrict public vaping.

This research was supported by funding from the Colorado School of Public Health at Colorado State University. 

*Lead Author and Professor at Colorado State University, Craig Trumbo is available for media interviews upon request. Please contact Britania Weinstein at [email protected] for all interview requests.

Risk Analysis: An International Journal is published by the nonprofit Society for Risk Analysis (SRA), an interdisciplinary, scholarly, international society that provides an open forum for all who are interested in risk analysis, a critical function in complex modern societies. Risk analysis includes risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management, and risk policy affecting individuals, public- and private-sector organizations, and societies at a local, regional, national, or global level. To learn more, visit www.sra.org.

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SOURCE Society for Risk Analysis