| Summary: | Introduction
Use of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS, or hookah smoking) and
electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS, such as e-cigarettes) is rapidly
increasing. However, legislatures have been slow to update policy measures related
to them. Therefore, we aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes and likelihood to take
future action regarding WTS and ENDS among Pennsylvania legislators.
Methods
We approached all Standing Members of key Pennsylvania House and
Senate health and welfare committees to complete a survey about substances of
abuse, including WTS and ENDS. Closed-ended knowledge, attitude and action
items used a 100-point scale. Responses to open-ended items were assessed using
thematic analysis by three independently working researchers.
Results
We received responses from 13 of 27 eligible policymakers (48%). Participants
answered a mean of only 27% (SD=20%) of knowledge items correctly. When asked to
rank by priority eight issues in substance abuse, WTS ranked eighth (least urgent) and
ENDS ranked fifth. Participants reported low likelihood to introduce legislation on WTS
(mean=29, median=25) and/or ENDS (mean=28, median=10). Thematic analysis
revealed that participants readily acknowledged lack of understanding of WTS and
ENDS, and were eager for additional information.
Conclusions
Policymakers exhibit a lack of knowledge concerning newer forms
of tobacco and nicotine delivery systems and consider them to be relatively low
legislative priorities. However, respondents expressed a desire for more information,
suggesting the potential for public health entities to promote effective policy
development via improved dissemination of information.
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