Table. Perceived Harm of ENDS Relative to Combustible Cigarettes Among US Adults in 2017 and 2018.
| Smoking Status | Respondents, % (95% CI)a | P Valueb | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2018 | ||
| Overall respondents, No.c | 5357 | 5445 | |
| Much less harmful | 4.7 (4.0-5.4) | 3.8 (3.2-4.5) | <.001 |
| Less harmful | 29.3 (27.8-30.7) | 25.8 (24.4-27.2) | |
| About the same level | 36.4 (34.9-38.0) | 43.0 (41.5-44.6) | |
| More harmful | 2.4 (2.0-2.9) | 4.4 (3.9-5.1) | |
| Much more harmful | 1.9 (1.5-2.5) | 3.7 (3.1-4.4) | |
| Do not know | 25.3 (24.0-26.7) | 19.3 (18.0-20.5) | |
| Never smokers, No. | 2653 | 2801 | |
| Much less harmful | 3.6 (2.8-4.6) | 2.3 (1.7-3.0) | <.001 |
| Less harmful | 31.3 (29.3-33.4) | 27.7 (25.9-29.7) | |
| About the same level | 37.4 (35.3-39.6) | 44.7 (42.6-46.8) | |
| More harmful | 1.9 (1.3-2.6) | 4.8 (4.0-5.8) | |
| Much more harmful | 2.5 (1.9-3.3) | 3.7 (2.9-4.6) | |
| Do not know | 23.4 (21.6-25.3) | 16.8 (15.3-18.4) | |
| Former smokers, No. | 1533 | 1505 | |
| Much less harmful | 4.9 (3.8-6.4) | 5.2 (3.9-6.9) | <.001 |
| Less harmful | 27.5 (25.1-30.1) | 23.0 (20.6-25.5) | |
| About the same level | 35.9 (33.1-38.8) | 41.5 (38.6-44.3) | |
| More harmful | 2.7 (2.0-3.7) | 3.3 (2.5-4.4) | |
| Much more harmful | 1.0 (0.5-1.9) | 3.5 (2.5-4.8) | |
| Do not know | 27.9 (25.4-30.6) | 23.6 (21.2-26.3) | |
| Current smokers, No. | 1171 | 1139 | |
| Much less harmful | 8.0 (6.2-10.4) | 7.1 (5.3-9.4) | .001 |
| Less harmful | 25.5 (22.4-28.8) | 23.5 (20.6-26.7) | |
| About the same level | 33.9 (30.5-37.4) | 39.3 (35.7-43.1) | |
| More harmful | 3.7 (2.6-5.2) | 5.2 (3.8-7.0) | |
| Much more harmful | 1.8 (1.1-2.9) | 4.4 (3.1-6.4) | |
| Do not know | 27.1 (23.9-30.5) | 20.5 (17.7-23.6) | |
| Current ENDS users, No. | 411 | 460 | |
| Much less harmful | 24.0 (19.3-29.3) | 19.4 (15.3-24.3) | .35 |
| Less harmful | 37.7 (32.0-43.7) | 39.3 (33.9-44.9) | |
| About the same level | 20.0 (15.7-25.0) | 26.1 (21.4-31.5) | |
| More harmful | 4.2 (2.1-8.0) | 3.6 (2.0-6.6) | |
| Much more harmful | 1.2 (0.6-2.4) | 1.6 (0.7-3.8) | |
| Do not know | 13.1 (9.4-17.9) | 9.9 (7.2-13.6) | |
| Dual cigarettes and ENDS users, No.d | 245 | 228 | |
| Much less harmful | 18.9 (13.6-25.7) | 19.5 (13.9-26.6) | .87 |
| Less harmful | 32.3 (25.1-40.4) | 34.5 (27.2-42.7) | |
| About the same level | 30.1 (23.2-38.1) | 32.7 (24.9-41.5) | |
| More harmful | 4.1 (1.9-8.5) | 2.5 (1.0-6.2) | |
| Much more harmful | 2.1 (0.9-4.5) | 1.2 (0.3-4.4) | |
| Do not know | 12.5 (7.8-19.5) | 9.6 (6.1-14.8) | |
Abbreviation: ENDS, electronic nicotine delivery systems.
a
All percentages are weighted.
b
Based on χ2 tests of association.
c
Total of never, former, and current smokers.
d
Not combined with current ENDS users or any smoker group.