Consumer Perceptions of Hazardous Chemicals in Tobacco and Tobacco Smoke

Shay, Laura

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Exhibit Hall (Kansas City Convention Center)

Dr. Laura Shay, PhD, RN , Office of Science , Center for Tobacco Products, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to:

• Describe the primary origins of the chemicals in tobacco and tobacco smoke. • Identify the health effects caused by the chemicals in tobacco and tobacco smoke. • Describe findings from qualitative consumer perception research with youth and adult tobacco users. • Discuss future research questions as well as development of messaging and communication resulting from consumer perception research.

Cross Cutting Program Area(s): Youth

Audience: This session is intended for local, state, and national level tobacco control organizations, public health professionals, practitioners, researchers, and youth advocates who are interested in consumer knowledge and perceptions about hazards chemicals in tobacco and tobacco smoke.

Key Points: There are thousands of chemicals in tobacco products. Many of these chemicals are harmful and have been linked to health problems including cancers, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, as well as reproductive and fetal development abnormalities. Consumers have a general awareness about the common health problems associated with tobacco use, however they know very little about the chemicals in tobacco products and tobacco smoke and how they are associated with harmful health effects.

Educational Experience: This presentation reports the findings from sixteen focus groups held in four U.S. cities in summer 2011. The objective of the focus groups was to obtain insight into the knowledge and perceptions about the chemicals in tobacco products and tobacco smoke. Focus groups were conducted with high risk and tobacco user adolescents (ages 13-17) and adult (18-65) tobacco users.

Benefits: This presentation aims to examine initial research of consumer perceptions around chemicals in tobacco and tobacco smoke, explore future areas of research, and generate possible themes for education campaigns.

296 Consumer Perceptions of Hazardous Chemicals in Tobacco and Tobacco Smoke