SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- More than half of IndyCar race fans (51%) said electronic cigarettes are more acceptable in public spaces compared to traditional cigarettes, a recent survey by Sponsorship Sciencefor Mistic E-Cigs, found.
Mistic E-Cigs is co-primary sponsor of the No. 11 car in the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series, the only e-cigarette company to co-sponsor a car running in the 99th Indianapolis 500, it said.
Only 23% said e-cigarettes are less acceptable than traditional cigarettes, according to an in-person survey of 561 fans conducted during the 2015 Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana held April 10-13.
“These findings indicate that half the respondents had a general positive attitude regarding public e-cig use relative to traditional cigarettes,” said Brett A. Boyle, Ph.D., research director for Sponsorship Science and author of the survey.
Results of this survey vary significantly between younger and older adults: 62% of adults ages 18 to 34 said e-cigarettes are more acceptable than smoking, with only 12% saying they are less acceptable than traditional cigarettes. While 44% of adults 55 and older said e-cigarettes are more acceptable than smoking, the survey revealed that 40% of older adults said e-cigarettes were less acceptable.
Positive attitudes toward e-cigarettes extend outside of the racetrack. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) said they would not be bothered by someone using an e-cigarette nearby, according to data released in a 2014 American E-Cigarette Etiquette Survey conducted by Harris Interactive. The study also found that 58% of Americans approved of allowing e-cigarettes to be used at sporting events, followed by malls (47%), and restaurants and bars (45%).
Harris conducted the 2014 American E-Cigarette Etiquette Survey by telephone within the United States December 12-15, 2013, among 1,011 Americans 18 and over.
“It’s clear that most Americans and race fans in general have positive attitudes when it comes to vaping,” said Wiesehan. “Our involvement with IndyCar has allowed us to talk to current adult smokers across the country about the benefits of vaping as a significant alternative to smoking.”
Race fans will be able to enjoy Mistic’s brand experience at IndyCar racetracks during the 2015 season. Adult smokers can visit the Mistic-HAUS kiosk and engage with members of the Mistic Pit Crew to learn more about the company’s products. Additionally, fans can ride in virtual race simulators and get the chance to compete against Sebastien Bourdais in mock competitions.
Piloted by four-time Series champ Sebastien Bourdais, KVSH Racing’s No. 11 Indy 500 superspeedway car will feature the HAUS Personal Vaporizer by Mistic logo, along with an updated black-and-white “shattered” theme highlighted by green- and red-colored accents.
Mistic served as co-primary sponsor of KVSH Racing’s No. 11 car in last year’s Indy 500 driven by Bourdais.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Mistic E-Cigs is an independent manufacturer of vapor products, primarily sold through brick-and-mortar retail channels under the direction of its parent company, Ballantyne Brands. The company’s Mistic brand of rechargeable and non-rechargeable e-cigarettes, including the Mistic Bridge, as well as its HAUS line of vapor products and e-liquids, are sold in approximately 68,000 retail outlets, including convenience stores.
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