誤導資訊介入對電子煙態度之影響：台灣吸菸族群之隨機分派實驗

Effects of misinformation on smokers’attitudes toward e-cigarettes: a randomized control trial in Taiwan

目標：鑑於近年網際網路發達且資訊傳播快速，其中也包含誤導資訊之流傳，尤其與健康相關的誤導資訊議題更為重要，其可能對人體產生長期危害。本研究之目的為了解誤導資訊是否會影響吸菸族群對於電子煙之態度。方法：本研究為一隨機分派實驗研究，以網路問卷招募吸菸族群作為參與者，以2015年英國公共衛生局（Public Health England）發布之研究報告中所述「電子煙比香菸安全95%」資訊作為實驗組誤導資訊介入，對照組則提供與電子煙無關之資訊，以網頁的形式呈現內容，以檢測誤導資訊是否會影響台灣吸菸族群對於電子煙之態度， 並估計其影響程度。結果：實驗組於誤導資訊介入後，對於電子煙之態度更正向。吸菸族群對於電子煙的態度與是否使用電子煙、教育程度、自覺經濟狀況、自覺健康狀態等因素有關。結論：誤導資訊會造成吸菸者改變對電子煙態度，建議電子煙政策應積極宣導電子煙正確資訊， 以降低未來民眾因誤導資訊而造成之負面健康結果。

Objectives: The pace of information dissemination has been increasing rapidly with the advancement of information technology and increased Internet use. Thus, attention should be paid to the dissemination of health-related misinformation to avoid harm. In the present study, we investigated whether misinformation affects smokers’ attitudes toward electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Methods: In this randomized control trial, Taiwanese adult smokers were recruited through online questionnaires. The participants were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received misinformation from a study web page, which contained information presented in the 2015 Public Health England Report; such information indicated that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group had a more positive attitude toward e-cigarettes than did the control group. Furthermore, e-cigarette use, education level, perceived economic status, and perceived health status were found to be associated with smokers’ attitudes toward e-cigarettes. Conclusions: Misinformation may influence smokers’ attitude towards e-cigarettes. Public health policies should focus on actively promoting accurate information on e-cigarettes to alleviate the negative health effects of misinformation.