The investigators will conduct a message-exposure experiment with nationally representative samples of smokers, dual-users (cigarettes and e-cigarettes), and young adult non-smokers (aged 18-29). Experimental messages will address the reduction of nicotine in cigarettes. Participants will also complete a follow-up survey after 2 weeks, measuring their recall of the messages and behaviors since message exposure.
A national probability-based sample will be recruited to include 900 current exclusive smokers, 450 dual users, and 450 young adult (18-29) non-smokers, evenly split between men and women. The study will be conducted using a self-administered, online questionnaire via proprietary, web-assisted interviewing software. Participants are randomized to one of four conditions: * reduced nicotine messages * modified risk messages * a combination of reduced nicotine message and modified risk message * control messages with no cigarette-related content Participants will take part in two sessions: in session 1 (estimated at about 15 min) participants will see the messages and report immediate outcomes including risk perceptions. In session 2, which will take place 2 weeks after session 1, participants will complete a brief 5-minute survey measuring their recall of the messages and behaviors since message exposure.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,901
Participants will be shown two messages about harms of reduced nicotine cigarettes. The two messages will be drawn from a pool of five messages. The messages will communicate that reduced nicotine cigarettes will still have the rest of the harmful chemicals and cause diseases as the regular cigarettes, but they would make it easier to quit.
Participants will be shown two messages about electronic cigarettes as an alternative to regular cigarettes. The two messages will be drawn from a pool of five messages. The messages will communicate that electronic cigarettes are less likely than regular cigarettes to cause severe diseases such as lung cancer.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Perceived Health Risk of VLNCs (Absolute)
Measured with a single item, assesses participant's perception of own risk of overall harm to health under conditions of smoking reduced nicotine cigarettes every day. Response options range from 1 (Not at all likely) to 5 (Extremely likely), with higher scores representing a better outcome. An additional option, "Don't know", is also provided.
Time frame: Immediately after exposure
Interest in Trying Reduced Nicotine Cigarettes
A single item measuring how interested a participant is in trying reduced nicotine cigarettes. Response options are from 1 (not at all) to 7 (extremely), with higher scores representing a worse outcome. An additional option, "Don't know", is also provided.
Time frame: Immediately after exposure
Intention to Switch From Cigarettes to Electronic Nicotine Products
A single item measuring intention (during the next 6 months) to switch completely from cigarettes to electronic nicotine products. Response options are from 1 (not at all likely) to 7 (extremely likely), with higher scores representing a better outcome. An additional option, "Don't know", is also provided.
Time frame: Immediately after exposure
Perceived Addictiveness of VLNCs
A single item measuring participants' perception of likelihood of developing addiction to reduced nicotine cigarettes under conditions of smoking them every day. Response options are from 1 (Not at all likely) to 5 (Extremely likely), with higher scores representing a worse outcome. An additional option, "Don't know", is also provided.
Time frame: Immediately after exposure
VLNC Comparative Risk Perceptions
A single item measuring perceptions of comparative risk of smoking reduced nicotine cigarettes vs regular cigarettes. Response options are from 1 (Much less harmful) to 5 (Much more harmful), with higher scores representing a better outcome. An additional option, "Don't know", is also provided.
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Participants will be shown two messages, one from the reduced nicotine message set and one modified risk message set.
Participants will be shown two messages about drinking bottled water. These will be selected from a pool of five message. The messages display specific water products and describe hydration as a healthy activity.
Time frame: Immediately after exposure
VLNC Policy Support
A single item measuring support for the policy to reduce nicotine by 95% in all cigarettes. Response options are from 1 (Strongly Oppose) to 5 (Strongly Support), with higher scores representing a better outcome. An additional option, "Don't know", is also provided.
Time frame: Immediately after exposure
Perceived Message Effectiveness
A three-item scale measuring to what extent participants think the messages they saw discourage them from wanting to smoke, make smoking seem unpleasant, and make them concerned about health risks of smoking. Response options: from 1 (Disagree) to 4 (Neither Disagree nor Agree) to 7 (Strongly Agree). Higher scores represent a better outcome. The final perceived message effectiveness score is the mean of the response to the three items.
Time frame: Immediately after exposure
Perceived Health Risk of VLNCs (Absolute) at Post-test
Measured with a single item, assesses participant's perception of own risk of overall harm to health under conditions of smoking reduced nicotine cigarettes every day. Response options range from 1 (Not at all likely) to 5 (Extremely likely), with higher scores representing a better outcome. An additional option, "Don't know", is also provided.
Time frame: Two weeks after exposure
Smoking Behavior
Single item measuring the average number of cigarettes smoked per day in the past two weeks.
Time frame: Two weeks after exposure