The Relationship Between Knowledge, Tobacco Use, and Support for Vape-Free Policies: A Motivated Reasoning Perspective

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

Abstract

State and local jurisdictions are implementing policies to restrict the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) in smoke-free venues. Lack of public support could adversely impact successful policy implementation and enforcement. Applying motivated reasoning theory, we predict of young adults’ support for vaping restrictions in smoke-free venues.
Data were from nationally representative panel of US households (N=1227). Separate step-wise ordinal logistic regression analyses, weighted to the US population, were completed for support for restrictions on vaping in bars and on college campuses.
Daily smokers were less likely to support campus vaping restrictions. There was a significant interaction between knowledge and e-cigarette use such past users (compared to never users) with greater knowledge of e-cigarettes were more likely to support vaping restrictions on campus. Greater levels of perceived risk were associated with more support for vaping restrictions in both contexts and greater levels of marketing exposure were associated with reduced support.

Authors

• Ashley Sanders-Jackson, Stanford Prevention Research Center

• Cabral A Bigman, University of Illinois

• Andy SL Tan, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health