Changes in the harm perceptions of different types of tobacco products for youth and adults: Waves 1-5 of the population assessment of tobacco and health (PATH) study, 2013-2019

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco harm perceptions are associated with tobacco use for both youth and adults, but it is unknown how these harm perceptions have changed over time in a changing tobacco product landscape.

Methods: Data from Waves 1-5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study were analyzed to examine perceptions of harm of eight non-cigarette tobacco products compared to cigarettes. Perceptions of harm were assessed with the questions, "Is smoking/using [product] less harmful, about the same, or more harmful than smoking cigarettes?".

Results: The share of participants who perceived non-cigarette combustible products as posing similar harm to cigarettes increased over time, while the share of participants who perceived non-combustible products as less harmful than cigarettes decreased over time.

Conclusions: Tobacco harm perceptions are changing over time, along with the tobacco product marketplace and regulatory environment.

Keywords: Combustible tobacco products; Harm perceptions; Non-combustible tobacco products.