The Association Between E-Cigarette Information Scanning and Cognitions Among Youth and Young Adults: Does Current Tobacco Use Matter?

• In Event: Smoking, Stigma, Social Support: High Density Panel in Health Communication

Abstract

E-cigarettes are affordable and accessible, are promoted and advertised, and sometimes can be used in public places. Routine exposure to e-cigarette information in the media and through conversations may shape cognitions about e-cigarettes. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between e-cigarette information scanning and related cognitions, and to explore whether current tobacco use moderates this relationship. We collected a nationally representative telephone sample of 13 – 25 year olds from June – October 2014 (N = 1150). Multiple regressions indicated that scanning was universally associated with normative beliefs, and pro-e-cigarette beliefs about the consequences of use, but not with self-efficacy to stop use. Only tobacco users showed a significant association of scanning with intentions to use e-cigarettes. Future research needs to investigate what kind of information about e-cigarettes is prevalent in the current public communication environment and whether prior scanning predicts later behavior in a longitudinal design.

Authors

• Kirsten Lochbuehler, U of Pennsylvania

• Jiaying Liu, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania

• Laura A. Gibson, University of Pennsylvania

• Robert Hornik, U of Pennsylvania