Beliefs about non-cigarette tobacco products for cigarette smoking cessation among U.S. adults.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations of sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco use, and digital media engagement, with beliefs about the use of non-cigarette tobacco products to help people quit smoking cigarettes among U.S. adults.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey (March-September 2024), a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of U.S adults. Weighted bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression examined beliefs that non-cigarette tobacco products can help people quit smoking by sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco use, and digital media engagement.

RESULTS

Nearly 22% believed no products could help people quit, 20.9% believed at least one product could, and 57.4% reported uncertainty. In multivariable models, ever use of e-cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.32,4.74) and modified risk tobacco products (aOR, 10.43; 95%CI, 6.27,32.7) were associated with higher odds of cessation beliefs for that product compared to those who had never used it. Differences also emerged by age, sex, and digital media engagement.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate the need for accurate and consistent communication to help the public better understand non-cigarette tobacco products and increase awareness of evidence-based smoking cessation aids.