2012 survey found smokers in US were 156 times more likely than never smokers (6.3% vs .04%) to report past 30 day e-cig use

[Bill Godshall]

Newly published 2012 survey found smokers in US were 156 times more likely than never smokers (6.3% vs .04%) to report past 30 day e-cig use, confirming that e-cigs are gateways away from (not towards) cigarette smoking.

The suvery also found that current smokers were 37 times more likely than long-term former smokers (6.3% vs .17%) to report past 30 day e-cig use, indicating that very few long-time former smokers have began using e-cigs.
PLOS ONE: The Use and Perception of Electronic Cigarettes and Snus among the U.S. Population


Unfortunately, the authors failed to cite these very important findings in the study's abstract (just like the CDC did with NYTS data, and another recently published survey).

 

[Uma]

Until they post the studies, I'll believe it but not repeat it lest the ANTZ twist it out from underneath me. I know without a cloud of doubt it must be true though. Thanks for posting!

 

[AgentAnia]

This is an open-source document, so the link will take you to the entire report. I've read about half of it, but had to stop as my eyes wouldn't uncross.... Thanks for the summary, Bill; will have to be content with that for now...

 

[Uma]

Good catch!

 

[ennagizer]

Amazing what can be learned when reading past the headlines to seek the truth.

 

[AgentAnia]

Amazing what can be learned when reading past the headlines to seek the truth.

And even more amazing is when you read between the lines...

 

[Uma]

It's the weekend, my eyes are glazed... Oh wait, that's the ham...

 

[2coils]

Another great positive that will be ignored by our wonderful ANTZ and agencies! Really sad. If I hear or read one more time... that there is no evidence to support e-cigs in a positive light I am going to snap!

 

[Bill Godshall]

In all public health research, I've never seen or heard of researchers intentionally misrepresenting or burying their own findings, except in a few occasions that have come back to haunt them.

Honest and ethical researchers expose their research findings and highlight their most important findings, even when their findings disprove the author's hypothesis.

But in tobacco control (and especially in THR research), some researchers who oppose THR (or whose employers or funders oppose THR) have refused to expose or highlight their most important findings because they aren't really scientists (but rather abstinence-only activists who are posing as scientists).

 

[Bill Godshall]

To be clear, there have been no news stories exposing this study yet, as neither the researchers nor the journal issued a press release.

The only way news stories are written about published research is when a press release is sent to reporters.

But I'll try generating some news about this study's important findings, especially since they surveyed more than 10,000 people.

One finding I found interesting was the author's statement

A high proportion, 75.4%, reported having heard about e-cigarettes. Television ranked as the number one source of information, followed by “in-person conversation” and “Internet.”

Since this survey was conducted Feb-March 2012 before any e-cig ads appeared on television, it appears that most people first heard about e-cigs from television news stories, the vast majority of which were generated by ANTZ that criticized e-cigs. So perhaps all the negative news stories generated by ANTz have actually helped increase e-cig sales.

Also, among the 10,000+ American's surveyed, not even one "never smoker" reported daily use of e-cigs.

 

[AgentAnia]

Since this survey was conducted Feb-March 2012 before any e-cig ads appeared on television, it appears that most people first heard about e-cigs from television news stories, the vast majority of which were generated by ANTZ that criticized e-cigs. So perhaps all the negative news stories generated by ANTz have actually helped increase e-cig sales.

I have no doubt about this. It's the one bright spot about all the negative publicity: many smokers aren't listening to the negativity, they're thinking Hmmmm, maybe I'll pick me up one of these ecigs and see what they're all about. Can't be worse than my cigarette...

 

[Vocalek]

This is quotable: "Prior to the recent acquisition of the Blu e-cigarette company by Lorillard, e-cigarettes were promoted mainly by small producers. Yet, the use of e-cigarette products has grown from half that of snus in 2010 to twice that of snus by 2012."

That would make a good comeback to those who falsely claim that BT invented e-cigarettes and is "up to its old tricks" in advertising.

 

[Anjaffm]

now that sure is good news!
And yes, negative blathering of ANTZ against e-cigs DOES make smokers curious
A lot of people heard / read about e-cigs, got curious, bought one, joined the German e-cig forum and became happy 100% vapers - after they learned about the existence of that new alternative to smoking during the FUD campaigns in Germany in early 2012

One even wrote (in the forum) "Well, they hate it, so I thought it just must be good!"

......

ooh I love it!

In contrast, e-cigarettes appear to have tapped into the popular imagination quickly, initially without the backing of any major tobacco company.

 

[AgentAnia]

"Well, they hate it, so I thought it just must be good!"

Exactly! Love it!