Tobacco Risk Information and Comparative Risk Assessment of E-Cigarettes Vs. Cigarettes: Application of the Reinforcing Spirals Model

J Health Commun. 2019;24(4):422-431. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2019.1630526. Epub 2019 Jun 18.

Abstract

We examine how individuals seek information about e-cigarette risk and selectively expose themselves to media sources that may provide information consistent with their existing beliefs and behaviors related to e-cigarettes in application of the Reinforcing Spirals Model (Slater, 2007). Additionally, the associations among e-cigarette risk information-seeking, tobacco risk information exposure via media, and comparative risk assessment of e-cigarettes versus conventional cigarettes were identified. The results were compared among current users, former users, and those who had never used e-cigarettes ("never users"). A nationally representative data from the 2017 Health Information National Trends Surveys - FDA was employed. Our analyses suggest the presence of comparative risk perception among current users as assessing the health harm and addiction risk of e-cigarettes significantly lower than cigarettes. Current users did not avoid information about the health effects of e-cigarettes; they were more likely to look for such information than former and never users. Current users' e-cigarette risk information-seeking was negatively associated with the difference between perceived addiction risk of e-cigarettes and that of cigarettes. Current users' tobacco risk information exposure via social media was related with a lower level of the perceived risk of e-cigarettes, while such exposure via news media was related with a higher level of perceived risk of e-cigarettes. Our findings suggest the need for regulating and counteracting the prevalent e-cigarette information that discounts the relative risks of e-cigarettes as well as the potential of news media as influential sources helping current users scrutinize the risks.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cigarette Smoking / epidemiology
  • Cigarette Smoking / psychology*
  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Information Seeking Behavior*
  • Male
  • Mass Media
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Psychological
  • Nicotiana
  • Non-Smokers / psychology*
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Risk
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Social Mobility
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tobacco Products
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vaping / epidemiology
  • Vaping / psychology*
  • Young Adult