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Public support for policies to restrict e-cigarette use: Associations with knowledge about FDA regulations and perceived harms of e-cigarettes
Method: Online survey of a nationally representative sample of 960 adults. Using structural equation modeling, we analyzed the relationship between knowledge about FDA regulations of e-cigarettes (e.g., “for safe use”) and support for restricting vaping in public venues (restaurants, bars/casinos/clubs, and parks). Mediators were perceived harms of e-cigarettes (harmful to one’s health, impact of breathing vapors, and e-cigarettes harms compared with regular cigarettes). Analyses were weighted to the U.S. adult population and adjusted for demographic covariates.
Results: About 15% of respondents thought the FDA regulates e-cigarettes, 19-21% accurately reported no FDA regulation, and the remainder did not know. Responding that FDA does not regulate e-cigarettes for safe use (B=0.27, p=0.001) predicted significantly increased support for vaping restrictions compared with responding that FDA regulates e-cigarettes. Concerns about the health impact of breathing in vapors mediated this relationship—those who said the FDA does not regulate e-cigarettes for safe use were more concerned about the impact on their health of breathing in vapors, which was in turn associated with increased support for restricting vaping.
Conclusion: Incorrect knowledge about regulations of e-cigarettes may undermine support for restricting vaping in public venues. The findings suggest a need to provide publicly accessible, accurate information about the regulatory status of e-cigarettes.
Learning Areas:
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelinesPublic health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe the prevalence of public awareness of FDA regulations of e-cigarettes for safe use and for helping smokers to quit smoking.
Analyze the relationships between knowledge of FDA regulations of e-cigarettes and public support for policies that restrict e-cigarette use in public venues.
Examine whether the relationships between regulatory knowledge and support for policies to e-cigarette use in public are mediated through perceptions of e-cigarette harms.
Discuss the implications of these findings on public communication efforts to improve accurate knowledge of the regulatory status and safety profile of e-cigarettes.
Keyword(s): Tobacco Use, Tobacco Control
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have completed doctoral training in health communication research, postgraduate training in public health, and clinical medicine. My research focuses on mediated and interpersonal communication as determinants of outcomes across the cancer prevention and control continuum including outcomes related to tobacco control. In recent years, I have published peer-reviewed articles and presented at scientific meetings research on public awareness and perceptions of electronic cigarettes and evaluations of smoking cessation media campaigns.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.