title: Opinions about electronic cigarette use in smoke-free areas among U.S. Adults, 2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the United States, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are currently unregulated, extensively marketed, and experiencing a rapid increase in use. The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of U.S. adults about e-cigarette use in smoke-free public areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the online HealthStyle survey administered to a probability sample of a nationally representative online panel. The study included 4,043U.S. adults, aged 18 years or older who responded to this question, "Do you think e-cigarette should be allowed to be used in public areas where tobacco smoking is prohibited?" Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine opinions on e-cigarette use in smoke-free areas by sex, age, race/ethnicity, household income, education, census region, and cigarette smoking status and e-cigarette awareness and ever use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, about 40% of adults were uncertain whether e-cigarettes should be allowed in smoke-free areas, 37% opposed, while 23% favored their use in smoke-free public places. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that adults who were aware, ever used e-cigarettes, and current cigarette smokers were more likely to express an "in favor" opinion than adults who expressed an uncertain opinion (don't know).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over 75% of U.S. adults reported uncertainty or disapproval of the use of e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas. Current cigarette smokers, adults aware or have ever used e-cigarettes were more supportive to exempting e-cigarettes from smoking restrictions. With impending regulation and the changing e-cigarette landscape, continued monitoring and research on public opinions about e-cigarette use in smoke-free places are needed.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA bmajeed1@student.gsu.edu.
authors.forename: Ban A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Shanta R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Dube
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Kymberle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sterling
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Whitney
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Eriksen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy; D012907:Smoking; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult