Table 3

Variation in willingness to switch to "hypothetical" reduced risk nicotine products between those who did and did not cite particular reasons for not previously switching to safer products

% would consider switching to a hypothetical reduced risk nicotine product in the future ²

Reasons for not previously considering switching to ST or pharmaceutical nicotine to stop smoking but continuing to use nicotine¹

(n = 130)

I tried switching to ST/pharm. nicotine but did not find it satisfying.

Yes

79% (57%, 100%)

No

59% (51%, 68%)

I believe ST/pharm. nicotine is likely to cause addiction than smoking.

Yes

69% (52%, 86%)

No

59% (50%, 69%)

I believe that nicotine in any form is as bad as smoking.

Yes

67% (55%, 78%)

No

56% (44%, 68%)

There are things I enjoy about smoking besides just getting nicotine.

Yes

60% (47%, 73%)

No

63% (52%, 74%)

Smoking is important to my social life.

Yes

47% (21%, 72%)

No

63% (55%, 72%)

Reasons for not previously considering switching to ST to stop smoking but continuing to use nicotine¹

(n = 211)

I believe that using tobacco in any form is as bad for you as smoking.

Yes

76% (68%, 84%)

No

70% (61%, 79%)

I believe that using smokeless tobacco is socially unacceptable or gross (because you have to spit or it makes a mess in your mouth).

Yes

79% (70%, 88%)

No

69% (61%, 76%)

I believe that smokeless tobacco would increase my risk of oral (mouth) cancer.

Yes

81% (71%, 90%)

No

69% (61%, 77%)

Smokeless tobacco is hard to use.

Yes

83% (67%, 98%)

No

72% (65%, 78%)

¹Limited to smokers who had not previously considered switching to ST/pharmaceutical nicotine and responded to the questions about whether they would consider switching to hypothetical reduced risk nicotine products in the future.

²Would consider switching to a nicotine product that is 50% or 99% less harmful than cigarettes.

Heavner et al. Harm Reduction Journal 2009 6:14   doi:10.1186/1477-7517-6-14