IADR Abstract Archives
Tobacco and E-cigarette Use Health Perception Differences Between Genders
Objectives: Although the general public acknowledges that smoking tobacco poses a health risk, there is still is a misconception regarding the potential health risk associated with the use of e-cigarettes. The intention of our study was to analyze the gender differences on the perception of health-related issues from the consumption of tobacco and/or e-cigarette products.
Methods: This study used the Population Assessment of Health Study data from Wave 3 adults file (2015-2016). Descriptive statistics of 28,148 participants was reported, categorized by gender and their perception on e-cigarette usage. Chi-square tests were used to study gender discrepancy on e-cigarette and overall tobacco product usage.
Results: The study identified statistically significant gender differences. Specifically, more males than females do not believe using tobacco product helps them think better (p<0.05). However, more males believe that using e-cigarettes does not cause health problems (p<0.05). More females than males believe that smoking can cause mouth cancer (p<0.05), it is difficult to stop using tobacco products (p<0.05), and feel that tobacco products control them (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Most people believe that the use of tobacco can cause cancer; however, counterintuitively most do not believe that e-cigarette use can result in health issues. This study allows for the opportunity to identify areas where the general public needs more education regarding risks associated with e-cigarette use and consumption, thus improving overall health in the United States. Findings from this study contribute to the improvement of the FDA’s regulations and policies regarding tobacco and e-cigarette use.
Methods: This study used the Population Assessment of Health Study data from Wave 3 adults file (2015-2016). Descriptive statistics of 28,148 participants was reported, categorized by gender and their perception on e-cigarette usage. Chi-square tests were used to study gender discrepancy on e-cigarette and overall tobacco product usage.
Results: The study identified statistically significant gender differences. Specifically, more males than females do not believe using tobacco product helps them think better (p<0.05). However, more males believe that using e-cigarettes does not cause health problems (p<0.05). More females than males believe that smoking can cause mouth cancer (p<0.05), it is difficult to stop using tobacco products (p<0.05), and feel that tobacco products control them (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Most people believe that the use of tobacco can cause cancer; however, counterintuitively most do not believe that e-cigarette use can result in health issues. This study allows for the opportunity to identify areas where the general public needs more education regarding risks associated with e-cigarette use and consumption, thus improving overall health in the United States. Findings from this study contribute to the improvement of the FDA’s regulations and policies regarding tobacco and e-cigarette use.