Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd An extensive body of evidence indicates that e-cigarette use is highest among young adults, prompting concerns about the potential renormalization of smoking behaviors in a population segment that is particularly vulnerable to tobacco smoking initiation. Increasing levels of e-ci...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Pergamon
2019
|
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71767 |
| _version_ | 1848762567125630976 |
|---|---|
| author | Jongenelis, Michelle Kameron, C. Rudaizky, D. Slevin, Terry Pettigrew, Simone |
| author_facet | Jongenelis, Michelle Kameron, C. Rudaizky, D. Slevin, Terry Pettigrew, Simone |
| author_sort | Jongenelis, Michelle |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | © 2018 Elsevier Ltd An extensive body of evidence indicates that e-cigarette use is highest among young adults, prompting concerns about the potential renormalization of smoking behaviors in a population segment that is particularly vulnerable to tobacco smoking initiation. Increasing levels of e-cigarette use among young adults are likely a reflection of favorable beliefs about the benefits and risks associated with use, but research assessing perceptions of e-cigarettes in this population segment is limited. The aim of the present study was to assess young adults' perceptions of (i) the absolute and relative harm associated with e-cigarette use and (ii) the efficacy of these devices for smoking cessation. In a sample of 1116 Australian 18 to 25 year olds, three-quarters believed e-cigarettes have some level of harm (72%), just over half believed them to be addictive (57%), and substantial minorities reported that they did not know whether these products are harmful (20%) or addictive (34%). Two-fifths believed e-cigarettes are effective at helping people quit smoking (42%). Differences were observed by smoking status and e-cigarette user status on several variables, with a general trend of more positive perceptions towards e-cigarettes among smokers and users, particularly in relation to cessation efficacy. Results suggest that a substantial minority of young adults are unaware of the harms that may be associated with e-cigarettes, underscoring the importance of public health efforts that aim to provide accurate information about these devices. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:49:37Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-71767 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:49:37Z |
| publishDate | 2019 |
| publisher | Pergamon |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-717672018-12-13T09:33:19Z Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults Jongenelis, Michelle Kameron, C. Rudaizky, D. Slevin, Terry Pettigrew, Simone © 2018 Elsevier Ltd An extensive body of evidence indicates that e-cigarette use is highest among young adults, prompting concerns about the potential renormalization of smoking behaviors in a population segment that is particularly vulnerable to tobacco smoking initiation. Increasing levels of e-cigarette use among young adults are likely a reflection of favorable beliefs about the benefits and risks associated with use, but research assessing perceptions of e-cigarettes in this population segment is limited. The aim of the present study was to assess young adults' perceptions of (i) the absolute and relative harm associated with e-cigarette use and (ii) the efficacy of these devices for smoking cessation. In a sample of 1116 Australian 18 to 25 year olds, three-quarters believed e-cigarettes have some level of harm (72%), just over half believed them to be addictive (57%), and substantial minorities reported that they did not know whether these products are harmful (20%) or addictive (34%). Two-fifths believed e-cigarettes are effective at helping people quit smoking (42%). Differences were observed by smoking status and e-cigarette user status on several variables, with a general trend of more positive perceptions towards e-cigarettes among smokers and users, particularly in relation to cessation efficacy. Results suggest that a substantial minority of young adults are unaware of the harms that may be associated with e-cigarettes, underscoring the importance of public health efforts that aim to provide accurate information about these devices. 2019 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71767 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.11.004 Pergamon restricted |
| spellingShingle | Jongenelis, Michelle Kameron, C. Rudaizky, D. Slevin, Terry Pettigrew, Simone Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults |
| title | Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults |
| title_full | Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults |
| title_short | Perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among Australian young adults |
| title_sort | perceptions of the harm, addictiveness, and smoking cessation effectiveness of e-cigarettes among australian young adults |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/71767 |