Allison M Schmidt1, Kristen L Jarman2, Leah M Ranney3, Tara L Queen2, Seth M Noar2,4, Laura Ruel4, Robert Agans5, Anika Hannan6, Adam O Goldstein3. 1. Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 2. Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 3. Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 4. School of Media and Journalism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 5. Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. 6. Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Abstract
Introduction: Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted regulatory authority over tobacco products in 2009, few studies have examined perceived credibility of the FDA in this role. The current study assessed knowledge and credibility of the FDA as a regulator of tobacco products. Methods: In a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults (N = 4758), we assessed knowledge that the FDA regulates the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of cigarettes, and credibility of the FDA as a tobacco regulator. We examined demographic differences in knowledge and credibility, and associations of knowledge and trust in government with credibility perceptions. Results: Less than half of respondents reported knowing the FDA regulates how cigarettes are sold (46.8%) and advertised (49.7%), and only 36.0% knew the FDA regulates how cigarettes are made, with few demographic differences. Respondents reported that the FDA was moderately credible in regulating tobacco. Knowledge of the FDA as a tobacco regulator and trust in government were the strongest predictors of credibility. Being of younger age, being White (compared to African American), and being male were associated with higher credibility ratings of the FDA. Conclusions: Much of the public still does not know that the FDA regulates tobacco products, and credibility perceptions are moderate. Greater knowledge of the FDA's regulatory role was associated with higher credibility; efforts that increase the public's understanding of the FDA's role as a tobacco regulator may positively impact views of the agency's credibility. This may in turn improve public reception to the FDA's messages and regulations. Implications: This study is the first to show nationally representative estimates of both knowledge and credibility of the FDA as a tobacco regulator. Our research shows further that knowledge of the FDA's tobacco regulatory roles is likely to be an important factor related to perceived credibility of the FDA. Increasing the public's knowledge of the FDA's roles may enhance the agency's credibility, which can improve public reception to messages and regulations.
Introduction: Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted regulatory authority over tobacco products in 2009, few studies have examined perceived credibility of the FDA in this role. The current study assessed knowledge and credibility of the FDA as a regulator of tobacco products. Methods: In a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults (N = 4758), we assessed knowledge that the FDA regulates the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of cigarettes, and credibility of the FDA as a tobacco regulator. We examined demographic differences in knowledge and credibility, and associations of knowledge and trust in government with credibility perceptions. Results: Less than half of respondents reported knowing the FDA regulates how cigarettes are sold (46.8%) and advertised (49.7%), and only 36.0% knew the FDA regulates how cigarettes are made, with few demographic differences. Respondents reported that the FDA was moderately credible in regulating tobacco. Knowledge of the FDA as a tobacco regulator and trust in government were the strongest predictors of credibility. Being of younger age, being White (compared to African American), and being male were associated with higher credibility ratings of the FDA. Conclusions: Much of the public still does not know that the FDA regulates tobacco products, and credibility perceptions are moderate. Greater knowledge of the FDA's regulatory role was associated with higher credibility; efforts that increase the public's understanding of the FDA's role as a tobacco regulator may positively impact views of the agency's credibility. This may in turn improve public reception to the FDA's messages and regulations. Implications: This study is the first to show nationally representative estimates of both knowledge and credibility of the FDA as a tobacco regulator. Our research shows further that knowledge of the FDA's tobacco regulatory roles is likely to be an important factor related to perceived credibility of the FDA. Increasing the public's knowledge of the FDA's roles may enhance the agency's credibility, which can improve public reception to messages and regulations.
Authors: Brian V Fix; Richard J O'Connor; Geoffrey T Fong; Ron Borland; K M Cummings; Andrew Hyland Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-12-16 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Marcella H Boynton; Robert P Agans; J Michael Bowling; Noel T Brewer; Erin L Sutfin; Adam O Goldstein; Seth M Noar; Kurt M Ribisl Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-06-23 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Kacie C A Blackman; Sabrina L Smiley; Natalie M Kintz; Yaneth L Rodriguez; Ricky N Bluthenthal; Chih-Ping Chou; Tess Boley Cruz; Rosa Barahona; Mary Ann Pentz; Jonathan M Samet; Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati Journal: Tob Regul Sci Date: 2019-05-01
Authors: Katherine C Henderson; Emily E Loud; Hue Trong Duong; Reed M Reynolds; Bo Yang; Charity A Ntansah; David L Ashley; James F Thrasher; Lucy Popova Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2022-08-06 Impact factor: 5.825
Authors: Sabrina L Smiley; Kacie C A Blackman; Ricky N Bluthenthal; Yaneth L Rodriguez; Rosa Barahona; Steve Sussman; Mary Ann Pentz; Jonathan M Samet; Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati Journal: Tob Regul Sci Date: 2018-07
Authors: Kristen L Jarman; Sarah D Kowitt; Tara L Queen; Leah M Ranney; KyungSu Kim; Ellen E Jones; Emily Donovan; Adam O Goldstein Journal: Tob Regul Sci Date: 2018-11
Authors: Amira Osman; Sarah D Kowitt; Paschal Sheeran; Kristen L Jarman; Leah M Ranney; Adam O Goldstein Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-04-14 Impact factor: 3.390