Displacement imposition scale assesses reactions of cigarette and e-cigarette users impacted by a campus-wide smoking ban

Objective: The present study developed a measure assessing the emotional responses, “Displacement Imposition,” of cigarette and e-cigarette users on a college campus with a smoking/vaping ban. It also examined the relationship between Displacement Imposition and readiness to quit smoking/vaping, and how this relationship differed between cigarette and e-cigarette users. Participants: Participants (N = 297) were from a large, Midwestern university. Methods: Participants completed online questionnaires assessing demographics, cigarette and e-cigarette use, Displacement Imposition, and readiness to quit. Results: All six Displacement Imposition items loaded onto a single factor. A significant interaction emerged between Displacement Imposition and product use in predicting readiness to quit. At high levels of Displacement Imposition, cigarette users were less ready to quit than e-cigarette users. Conclusions: Findings suggest restrictions imposed on cigarette and e-cigarette users were associated with reduced readiness to quit. Findings inform tobacco control policies as tobacco denormalization may increase the burden placed on tobacco users.