Factors influencing perceptions of electronic cigarette and nicotine replacement therapy use among French smokers experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage: A latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Smokers experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage have higher smoking rates and lower quit success compared to the general population. While nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are effective smoking cessation aids, their use in this population is limited. We examine perceptions of NRT and e-cigarettes among low-income smokers.

METHODS: We analyzed baseline data from 167 low-income smokers interested in reducing or quitting smoking but not currently using e-cigarettes, enrolled in the French STOP trial, a randomized controlled trial evaluating a preference-based smoking cessation intervention. Baseline measures included demographics, smoking habits, mental health, and perceptions of NRT and e-cigarettes. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) identified subgroups based on perceptions, and multinomial logistic regression examined associations between subgroup membership and predictors.

RESULTS: Three subgroups emerged: "adopters" (44 %) with positive views of both aids, "doubters of e-cigarettes" (35 %) who found the tools easy to use but questioned the effectiveness of e-cigarettes, and "resistors" (21 %) with negative perceptions of both aids. Older age, not receiving social benefits, and absence of depressive symptoms were linked to being a "doubter of e-cigarettes", while heavy smoking was associated with being a "resistor". Previous NRT use increased the probability of being a "doubter of e-cigarettes", whereas prior e-cigarettes use decreased the likelihood of belonging to the "doubters of e-cigarettes" and "resistors" groups.

CONCLUSION: Low-income smokers hold diverse perceptions of NRT and e-cigarettes influenced by age, financial difficulties, mental health, and previous quit attempts. Tailored cessation interventions addressing these factors into account may improve quit rates in this population.