Citation
Rohde, Jacob A.; Noar, Seth M.; Sheldon, Jennifer Mendel; Hall, Marissa G.; Kieu, Talia; & Brewer, Noel T. (2022). Identifying Promising Themes for Adolescent Vaping Warnings: A National Experiment. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 24(9), 1379-1385. PMCID: PMC9356688Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Adolescent vaping remains a problem in the US, yet little is known about what health warning themes most discourage vaping among adolescents. We sought to identify the most compelling themes for vaping warnings for US adolescents.METHODS: Participants were a national probability sample of 623 US adolescents aged 13-17, recruited in summer 2020. Adolescents were randomized to one of five warning message themes about the potential health effects of vaping: 1) chemical harms, 2) lung harms, 3) COVID-19 harms, 4) nicotine addiction, or 5) control (messages about vape litter). The primary outcome was perceived message effectiveness (PME; 3-item scale). Secondary outcomes were negative affect (fear), attention, anticipated social interactions, and message novelty.
RESULTS: Adolescents rated the chemical, lung, and COVID-19 harms warning messages higher on PME than nicotine addiction and control (all p<.05), while nicotine addiction was rated higher than control (p<.05). The chemical, lung, and COVID-19 harms warning themes also elicited greater negative affect than nicotine addiction and control (all p<.05). For all other secondary outcomes, the COVID-19 harms warning message theme was rated higher than nicotine addiction and control (all p<.05).
CONCLUSION: Adolescents perceived warning message themes about lung, chemical, and COVID-19 health effects of vaping as more effective than nicotine addiction. To discourage vaping, the FDA and others should communicate to youth about the health effects of vaping beyond nicotine addiction.
IMPLICATIONS: Adolescents perceived warning message themes about the lung, chemical, and COVID-19 health effects of vaping as more effective than nicotine addiction, while nicotine addiction was perceived as more effective than control themes about vaping litter. To discourage vaping among adolescents, health messaging should expand message themes to communicate about a broader set of health effects of vaping beyond nicotine addiction.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntac093Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2022Journal Title
Nicotine & Tobacco ResearchAuthor(s)
Rohde, Jacob A.Noar, Seth M.
Sheldon, Jennifer Mendel
Hall, Marissa G.
Kieu, Talia
Brewer, Noel T.