title: Use and perception of electronic cigarettes among college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study provides insight into how electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may affect the social normative environment for tobacco use among college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 244 freshman and sophomore students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students completed an online self-report survey in April 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is a higher acceptance rate of e-cigarette smoking in public than traditional tobacco. For intention to use an e-cigarette, the strongest predictor is current tobacco use, followed by a positive orientation toward public use of e-cigarettes. Positive orientation toward public use of e-cigarettes is significantly predicted by the use of alternate tobacco, intention to use or try e-cigarettes, positive orientation toward public use of tobacco, positive attitude toward e-cigarettes, positive perception of social norms for use of e-cigarettes, and favorable orientation toward e-cigarettes as an innovation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These models suggest attitudinal, social normative, innovation, and behavioral factors may combine to bring the e-cigarette into wider use among college students.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Journalism and Technical Communication , Colorado State University , Fort Collins , Colorado.
authors.forename: Craig W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Trumbo
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harper
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy / Q000639:trends; D066262:Social Norms; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000639:trends; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: attitudes; diffusion of innovations; electronic cigarettes; smoking laws; social norms