Why Text-Only Warnings on E-Cigarettes Boost Addictiveness Beliefs: Insights from Physician’s Weekly

On June 5, 2025, new research highlighted the impact of text-only health warnings on electronic cigarettes. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that these warnings can boost awareness about the risks and addictive nature of e-cigarettes.

Dr. Youjin Jang from the University of North Carolina led the research team. They reviewed 24 studies involving over 22,000 participants to see how effective health warnings were compared to the standard nicotine addiction warnings.

The findings revealed that text-based warnings increased people’s attention to e-cigarettes. They also fostered more negative feelings and heightened concerns about addiction and risks. Interestingly, while people became more aware of the dangers, these warnings didn’t change their beliefs about relative risks associated with vaping.

Participants exposed to health-harm warnings showed stronger intentions to quit vaping compared to those who saw nicotine addiction warnings. This suggests that health-harm warnings might have a wider impact on changing behavior.

Dr. Jang emphasized the significance of text-only warnings in conveying the dangers of e-cigarettes. “It’s important to expand these warnings to include potential health risks, such as exposure to harmful chemicals,” he stated. This step could enhance e-cigarette warning policies moving forward.

These insights are crucial as vaping becomes more widespread. A recent survey indicated that nearly 20% of high school students report using e-cigarettes, highlighting the need for effective communication about the risks. Experts advocate for clearer warnings to help reduce these numbers.

For further reading, you can access the full study here.

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