Secondhand Smoke Risk Communication: Effects on Parent Smokers' Perceptions and Intentions

J Health Commun. 2020 Jul 2;25(7):554-565. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2020.1797947. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

Abstract

This study examined effective strategies to communicate with parent smokers about the risks of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure to children. An online, between-subjects experimental survey was administered via TurkPrime Panels to recruit participants (N = 623) comprising adult smokers living with children (aged 0-15). Participants were assigned to messages conditions that differed by message recommendation (cessation; cessation+exposure reduction) and format (video; text-only) or to a no-message control. Participants in a message condition viewed a message, and all participants responded to questions about their perceptions and intentions. Parent smokers who viewed either message recommendation reported greater harm perceptions (p <.001), self-efficacy (p <.001), and help-seeking intentions (p <.05) than the no-message control group. Cessation+exposure reduction recommendations elicited greater quit intentions than the no-message control (p <.05). Compared to text-only, videos elicited greater reduce-exposure intentions (p <.05) and interpersonal communication intentions (p <.05). Only videos elicited greater quit intentions (p <.01) and help-seeking intentions (p <.01) than the no-message control. Communication about this topic can be optimized by recommending both cessation and exposure-reduction behaviors (versus cessation only), and by using videos (versus traditional print/text-based materials).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Health Communication / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Smokers / psychology*
  • Smokers / statistics & numerical data
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution