Attitudes and knowledge about nicotine and nicotine replacement therapy

Abstract

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) represent an effective means of promoting smoking cessation, but they remain underutilized. Negative attitudes and false beliefs about nicotine and nicotine replacement may cause NRT underutilization. In a randomized, controlled, single-blind study of nicotine gum, 97 smokers were assessed on their attitudes and knowledge about nicotine, nicotine replacement, and smoking cessation therapy. Information from these self-report measures was used in an intervention that provided tailored, brief feedback to promote positive attitudes and accurate knowledge about NRT. Considerable variability in pretreatment attitudes and knowledge was observed across individuals. Moreover, attitudes and knowledge showed a consistent pattern of intercorrelation and were systematically related to smoking characteristics (e.g., prior use of NRT, nicotine dependence, treatment completion). The brief feedback intervention led to a significant global elevation in attitudes about nicotine, NRT, and assisted cessation but not knowledge about nicotine. Changes in attitudes and knowledge were not significantly related to gum use or smoking cessation. Recommendations for the appropriate application of brief feedback are offered.

Predictors of Cessation Pharmacotherapy Use Among Black and Non-Hispanic White Smokers

“…Several studies have examined attitudes toward pharmacotherapy within the general population. Results have typically shown that misconceptions about pharmacotherapy follow two themes: (a) beliefs about efficacy and (b) beliefs about safety, which include concerns about side effects, risks of nicotine itself, and/or concerns about abuse liability (Etter & Perneger, 2001;Mooney, Leventhal, & Hatsukami, 2006;Vogt, Hall, & Marteau, 2008). However, while many smokers are misinformed about NRT safety and efficacy (Shiffman, Ferguson, Rohay, & Gitchell, 2008), few studies have either (a) examined attitudes toward pharmacotherapy specifically among Black smokers or (b) offered racial/ethnic comparisons of attitudes.…”

Expectancies for Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Nicotine Replacement Therapies Among E-Cigarette Users (aka Vapers)

“…36,37 Expectancies likely play roles in driving both the increased use of e-cigarettes and the lack of NRT usage. Prior research shows that expectancies for nicotine and NRT are generally less positive than for cigarette smoking 38,39 ; but see 40 ). However, no study has examined and contrasted cigarette, e-cigarette, and NRT expectancies among e-cigarette users ("vapers").…”

The biomedicalisation of smoking cessation: a mixed methods study of lay perspectives on nicotine addiction

“…However, few were aware of the detailed neurobiological mechanisms associated with addiction to smoking, and some were misinformed. This is consistent with other literature on NRT that has found that smokers do not have a good understanding of how nicotine works in the body, and often hold erroneous views about its safety due to misunderstandings about the mechanisms of its actions (Ferguson et al, 2011;Mooney et al, 2006). This inexactness of smokers' knowledge about smoking, nicotine and the brain is not surprising.…”

“…These studies have shown that smokers often display negative attitudes towards pharmacologically assisted cessation and express concern about their safety and efficacy (Ferguson et al, 2011;Gross et al, 2008;Mooney et al, 2006). Not surprisingly, these negative perceptions predict a lower intention to use pharmacotherapies and poorer adherence in those smokers who do use them Etter & Perneger, 2001;Fucito et al, 2009;Shiffman et al, 2008).…”

“…A number of studies have found that smokers mistakenly believe that nicotine is harmful to the body and causes cancer Cummings et al, 2004;Mooney, Leventhal, & Hatsukami, 2006;Shiffman et al, 2008).…”