Summary Objective Tobacco harm reduction (THR) using represents a pragmatic and realistic strategy, to which electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) misperceptions act as a barrier. This paper explores ENDS misperceptions, especially among certain groups disproportionately affected by smoking. Methods Using the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Wave 7 (2022), key populations for THR were identified as 3,481 adults who exclusively smoke (AWES) and who are not planning to quit within 30 days (NPQ), 56% of whom were male. Non-White racial/ethnic groups, male, ages ≥ 55, high school/GED or less education, household income 91% in all sub-groups, the odds of reporting misperceptions were higher among: Black respondents ( vs . White, OR = 1.79 95% CI = 1.13–2.83), those aged ≥ 55 ( vs . < 55, 1.47 1.02–2.12), and AWES with high school or less education ( vs . at least some college, 2.10 1.47–3.01. Conversely, male AWES had reduced odds of having ENDS misperceptions ( vs . female, 0.55 0.38–0.80). Conclusions ENDS misperceptions were highly prevalent among AWES-NPQ, and some subgroups disproportionately affected by smoking were even more likely to hold misperceptions. Efforts to reduce smoking disparities could be enhanced by communicating ENDS' reduced-risk potential, which could encourage AWES to adopt ENDS and completely switch away from smoking.
Kim et al. (Wed,) studied this question.