Misperceptions of Nicotine and Nicotine Reduction: The Importance of Public Education to Maximize the Benefits of a Nicotine Reduction Standard

Villanti, Andrea C.; Byron, Michael; Mercincavage, Melissa; Pacek, Lauren R.

doi:10.1093/ntr/ntz103

Cited by 25 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(24 reference statements)

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“…Again, such findings point to the need for educating the public about the harms of nicotine and LNC cigarettes prior to implementing a low nicotine product standard for cigarettes. As shown in prior research by Villanti and colleagues, brief communication interventions can be effective in correcting misperceptions of LNC cigarettes, ANDS products, and medicinal nicotine [ 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One important consideration for implementing the proposed framework is determining whether the public understands the continuum of harm for commercial nicotine and tobacco products. In general, the relatively minor role of nicotine’s contribution to disease development is not well understood by the public [ 28 ]. For example, research on medicinal nicotine highlights the confusion surrounding the harms of nicotine.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk Perceptions of Low Nicotine Cigarettes and Alternative Nicotine Products across Priority Smoking Populations

Denlinger-Apte

Pacek

Ross

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Background: As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers a low nicotine product standard for cigarettes, it is important to examine how people who smoke, especially individuals from priority populations disproportionately affected by smoking, perceive low nicotine content (LNC) cigarettes and their relative risk perceptions of alternative nicotine delivery system (ANDS) products, including e-cigarettes and snus, and medicinal nicotine. Methods: Data are from Wave 4 (2016–2017) of the adult Population Assessment of Tobacco Use and Health (PATH) Study. We examined respondents’ absolute risk perceptions about nicotine, LNC cigarettes, ANDS products and medicinal nicotine; their relative risk perceptions of LNC cigarettes and ANDS products compared to conventional cigarettes; and their relative risk perceptions of medicinal nicotine compared to ANDS products. Results: The majority of respondents across priority smoking populations indicated snus, e-cigarettes, and LNC cigarettes were ‘about the same’ level of harmfulness or addictiveness as conventional cigarettes. The majority of respondents indicated e-cigarettes to be ‘about the same’ harmfulness as medicinal nicotine. Conclusions: Our study indicates that adults who smoke cigarettes generally have misperceptions about the harms of nicotine and the relative risks of ANDS products and such misperceptions exist regardless of their racial/ethnic identity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Perceptions of Low Nicotine Cigarettes and Alternative Nicotine Products across Priority Smoking Populations

Denlinger-Apte

Pacek

Ross

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Study results may also suggest that if MRTP messages are to promote harm reduction for smokers, consumers may need better education and understanding about nicotine and the relative role of combustion in the exposure to harmful chemicals and health consequences associated with smoking [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Indeed, participants expressed interest in more information about how and why snus and e-cigarettes could pose reduced risks, and several responded favorably to claim versions that attempted to include a “rationale” section.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smokers’ and Young Adult Non-Smokers’ Perceptions and Perceived Impact of Snus and E-Cigarette Modified Risk Messages

Wackowski

Rashid

Greene

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Although no tobacco products are safe, tobacco companies in the United States may request regulatory authorization to make certain “modified risk tobacco product” (MRTP) claims in their marketing. However, few qualitative studies have explored consumer perceptions and understanding of comparative risk messages and wordings. We examined consumer perceptions of statements indicating reduced risks and exposure to chemicals from snus and e-cigarettes relative to smoking. We conducted 12 focus groups with adult smokers (ages 21–66) and young adult (YA) non-smokers (ages 18–25) (n = 57) in the USA in 2019. Participants shared reactions to modified risk and exposure messages and message variations. Participants largely understood claims, including language about “switching completely.” However, participants expressed desire for more message specificity, evidence, risk reduction reasons, and statistics/quantitative information. Claim believability and acceptance was also limited by existing negative product beliefs and experiences, negative media reports, and skepticism about message source. YAs did not express product interest based on message exposure. Some YAs suggested the included “smoker” language made the messages less interesting/relevant. Given existing proposals for and use of MRTP messages, additional research on their wording, framing, delivery, and effects may help inform regulatory or organizational decisions about such messages, optimize potential benefits, and mitigate unintended consequences.

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“…A number of studies have reported that a considerable proportion of smokers and the public lack knowledge about the relative safety of NVPs compared with cigarettes, or believe NVPs are equally as harmful as combustible cigarettes [9–11]. Similar misperceptions have been reported for nicotine in general, with a belief that nicotine is responsible for most smoking‐related morbidity and mortality [12]. A number of authoritative evidence reviews [13–15] now strongly point to NVPs potentially playing an important a role in reducing the harm from tobacco use by reducing exposure to toxicants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Does the content and source credibility of health and risk messages related to nicotine vaping products have an impact on harm perception and behavioural intentions? A systematic review

et al. 2021

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Aims To systematically review the literature on (i) whether and how various risk messages about nicotine vaping products (NVPs) alter harm perception and behavioural intentions of smokers and non‐smokers and (ii) how trust in sources of NVP risk communication affects message reception and behavioural intentions. Methods Seven electronic databases and reference lists of relevant articles were searched for articles published up to April 2020. Experimental and quasi‐experimental studies on message effects and cross‐sectional studies on source credibility were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Evidence Project Risk of Bias Tool were used to assess the quality of observational and intervention studies, respectively. For each outcome variable, we indicated whether there was an effect (as a ‘yes’ or ‘no’) and used effect direction plots to display information on the direction of effects. Results Nicotine addiction messages resulted in greater health and addiction risk perceptions, relative risk messages comparing the health risks of NVPs to cigarette smoking increased the perception that NVPs are less harmful than combustible cigarettes, and a nicotine fact sheet corrected misperceptions of nicotine and NVPs. Smokers’ intention to purchase, try or switch to NVPs was higher when exposed to a relative risk message and lower when exposed to nicotine addiction warnings. Trust in NVP risk information from public health agencies was associated with lower odds of; (i) NVP use and (ii) perceiving NVPs as less harmful, whereas those who trusted information from NVP companies were more likely to perceive NVPs as less harmful than combustible cigarettes. Conclusions Relative risk messages may help improve the accuracy of harm perceptions of nicotine vaping products and increase smokers’ intentions to quit smoking and/or to switch to vaping, although the literature is nascent.

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Misperceptions of Nicotine and Nicotine Reduction: The Importance of Public Education to Maximize the Benefits of a Nicotine Reduction Standard

Cited by 25 publications

References 19 publications

Risk Perceptions of Low Nicotine Cigarettes and Alternative Nicotine Products across Priority Smoking Populations

Risk Perceptions of Low Nicotine Cigarettes and Alternative Nicotine Products across Priority Smoking Populations

Smokers’ and Young Adult Non-Smokers’ Perceptions and Perceived Impact of Snus and E-Cigarette Modified Risk Messages

Does the content and source credibility of health and risk messages related to nicotine vaping products have an impact on harm perception and behavioural intentions? A systematic review

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