Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115934

Elaine Vaughan, PhD, Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, 3342 Social Ecology Bldg II, Irvine, CA 92697, 949-824-7184, evaughan@uci.edu

The introduction of modified tobacco products that claim to reduce exposure to toxicants raises important questions about how consumers might interpret relevant health communications, perceive risk and make decisions to use these products. Depending on several factors such as how the risks are framed (e.g., in terms of relative or absolute risks, in comparison with the risks of traditional products, or the benefits of risk reduction), the uncertainty of scientific evidence, and the consumer's prior history of tobacco use, certain individuals may be more susceptible to misinterpreting health information. Regardless of the quality of scientific evidence provided by public health officials, in making a decision some consumers will deliberate extensively, others will weigh information only minimally and some will ignore available information altogether. Accurately assessing the potential public health impact of harm reduction approaches must take into account individual differences in the judgments and reasoning strategies of specific groups of consumers, specifically current smokers without intentions of behavioral change, smokers contemplating quitting, recent quitters and longer-term ex-smokers. This presentation considers the process of risk perception and individual differences in the impact and interpretation of medical or scientific evidence in shaping these judgments. Recent evidence, and psychological theories of reasoning and risk judgment, suggest that certain groups are more likely than others to misinterpret the reduced risk claims made about modified tobacco products. The presentation is part of the session, Where's the evidence: Reducing the Harm of “Harm Reduction” Products, moderated by Gail Bingham, gbingham@resolv.org, 202-965-6200.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Understand the current research on tobacco harm reduction products and the current regulatory landscape for these products;
• Describe a proactive public policy strategy for addressing harm reduction products;
• Construct a plan for contributing to collaborative efforts to reduce the threat of tobacco harm reduction products to tobacco cessation efforts.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.