Electronic cigarette use and risk perception in a Stop Smoking Service in England

Sherratt, F. C., Marcus, M. W., Robinson, J. , Newson, L. and Field, J. K. (2015) Electronic cigarette use and risk perception in a Stop Smoking Service in England. Addiction Research and Theory, 23(4), pp. 336-342. (doi: 10.3109/16066359.2015.1006629)

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use rose substantially within the UK in recent years but currently, Stop Smoking Services in England do not prescribe them due to a lack of regulation. Previous research has examined e-cigarette use and attitudes within English Stop Smoking Services using samples of practitioners and managers; the current study recruited a sample of service users. Methods: Participants (N = 319) aged 18–60 years old were recruited from Roy Castle FagEnds, Liverpool, England (Stop Smoking Service). A cross-sectional questionnaire was completed, which recorded demographic variables, e-cigarette use alongside risk perception, and lastly, smoking behaviour i.e. smoking duration, cigarettes per day, and nicotine dependence. Results: Most participants were female (57.1%), current smokers (53.0%), and current or former e-cigarette users (51.7%). Participants who perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than smoked tobacco were more likely to have smoked fewer cigarettes per day (p = 0.008). Furthermore, those who felt uncertain whether e-cigarettes were safer than smoked tobacco, were less likely to have tried them (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that e-cigarette use is becoming common among users of Stop Smoking Services (despite e-cigarettes being unavailable from such services) and that e-cigarette risk perception is related to e-cigarette status. The results highlight the importance of providing smokers intending to quit smoking with current and accurate e-cigarette information. Findings may inform future Stop Smoking Services provision and the results demonstrate that further research is warranted.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robinson, Professor Jude
• Authors: Sherratt, F. C., Marcus, M. W., Robinson, J., Newson, L., and Field, J. K.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Addiction Research and Theory
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1606-6359
• ISSN (Online): 1476-7392
• Published Online: 16 March 2015