Effects of a Nicotine Fact Sheet on Perceived Risk of Nicotine and E-Cigarettes and Intentions to Seek Information About and Use E-Cigarettes

Abstract

We examined how a nicotine fact sheet influenced smokers’ beliefs about nicotine and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), a potentially less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. In an exploratory online experiment, 756 US adult current and recent former smokers (quit in the past 2 years) were randomized to view a nicotine fact sheet or control messages (bottled water ads). Effects of the nicotine fact sheet on perceived nicotine addictiveness, nicotine risk, comparative risk of e-cigarettes, and dual use intentions were analyzed using log-Poisson regression with robust error. Linear regression analyzed effects on perceived absolute risk and switching and information seeking intentions about e-cigarettes. Compared to control, the nicotine fact sheet doubled the probability of disagreeing that nicotine is the main cause of smoking-related disease (26.2% vs. 12.7%, RR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.51, 2.82, p < 0.001). However, nearly three quarters of participants viewing the nicotine fact sheet still thought that nicotine is the main cause of smoking-related disease. The nicotine fact sheet increased smokers’ intentions to seek information about e-cigarettes (b = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.74, p = 0.003). We did not find evidence suggesting unintended consequences of the nicotine fact sheet on smokers’ e-cigarettes risk perceptions or use intentions (e.g., increased dual use intentions or reduced absolute e-cigarette risk perception).

Korean Consumers’ Recognition of Risks Depending on the Provision of Safety Information for Chemical Products

“…Information and education should be provided particularly to young consumers in their 20s, who have low risk perception about chemical products. Providing consumer education should be considered because consumers' risk perception affects public health and personal risk management [30][31][32][33][34]; along with expert opinions, the public's risk perception is an essential element in improving public health and the policy-making process [35][36][37][38][39][40].…”

“…[30] conducted a comprehensive risk assessment analysis associated with establishing a prompt alarm system to prevent or restrict the sale and use of products (e.g., tainted or harmful toys, cosmetics, and chemicals) that pose a serious risk to consumer health and safety. In addition, many studies conducted surveys on consumers' risk perceptions and attitudes toward hazardous products [31][32][33][34]. Those studies found that consumers' risk perception of hazardous products affected their individual risk management in terms of the environment and health as well as their attitude.…”

Will E-Cigarette Modified Risk Messages with a Nicotine Warning Polarize Smokers’ Beliefs about the Efficacy of Switching Completely to E-Cigarettes in Reducing Smoking-Related Risks?

“…This study is part of a larger experiment on e-cigarette and nicotine risk communication. Specifically, the whole experiment included five message conditions ( n = 1906; for a detailed description of the five conditions, see our earlier publications [ 50 , 51 ]). In the current study, we analyzed data from only two of the five message conditions relevant to our hypotheses ( n = 761; discussed below).…”

Safety Behaviors to Reduce Risk of Using Chemical Household Products: An Application of the Risk Perception Attitude Framework

“…Risk information, such as warnings or guidelines, appear in the form of labels, instructions, and/or pictograms on CHP containers to raise awareness of hazards; they also provide guidance for implementing suitable risk management behaviors [2,13]. This information can help individuals make better "informed" risk-management decisions [14]. Certain regulations require product risk information to be written or printed clearly on the product package or container, and an understanding of risk information messages by users is a fundamental pillar of chemical legislation [15].…”