This research was funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and published in the online journal, Preventive Medicine Reports, and its aim was to examine the perception that vapers hold about the cigarette alternatives. Hence, in essence what the key motivators are that encourage smokers to switch from regular cigarettes to the electronic devices.
The participants who consisted of 105 U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers and their partners, reported that the devices are “at least as satisfying” as cigarettes, with 58% of study subjects even claiming that vaping was “much more” satisfying. Additionally the researchers found that the perception of danger from vaping decreased, as users vaped more regularly.
Key Motivators : Satisfaction and perceived safety
In a statement, lead author and professor of community health and health behaviour, Lynn Kozlowski said, “The results argue that satisfaction, perceived harm or danger and product type seem to all work together to promote use or avoidance.”
In line with what many public health experts have been pointing out incessantly, Kozlowski added, “The mistaken belief that e-cigarettes are more harmful than cigarettes can influence some smokers to not use e-cigs.” Clearly referring to the damage that is being caused by the spread of misinformation about the products. Misinformation that is keeping significant numbers of smokers ignorant about the potential that vaping products hold as harm reduction alternatives for smoking cessation, hence stopping them from switching, and saving their lives.
