Message development for a tailored text message-based smoking and vaping cessation intervention for dual users of conventional and electronic cigarettes

Message development for a tailored text message-based smoking and vaping cessation intervention for dual users of conventional and electronic cigarettes Public Deposited

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Abstract

In recent years, the popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has grown dramatically, particularly among conventional cigarette smokers. Two surveys were disseminated to independent samples of dual users to understand their e-cigarette intentions and beliefs, pretest cigarette and e-cigarette cessation messages, and solicit message suggestions. Results indicate that most dual users intend to use e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking or help them reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. Furthermore, the vast majority of dual users believe using e-cigarettes will help them with smoking cessation or reduction. On average, respondents found both cigarette-only and combination cigarette and e-cigarette messages at least somewhat relevant and somewhat effective, though they consistently rated cigarette-only messages as more relevant and more effective than combination messages. The belief I fear that e-cigarettes may be toxic was found to significantly predict respondents' perceived effectiveness of combination messages. Finally, the most popular themes apparent in respondents' suggestions for e-cigarette cessation messages were mystery (lack of information or scientific consensus regarding e-cigarettes), personal health and wellbeing (actual or possible implications of e-cigarette use on health or quality of life), and dependency (the addictive nature of e-cigarettes or nicotine as an ingredient in e-cigarettes).

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