Marketing Practices of Vapor Store Owners

Cheney, Marshall K.; Gowin, Mary; Wann, Taylor Franklin

doi:10.2105/ajph.2015.302610

Cited by 65 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(30 reference statements)

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“…A recent study based on interviews with vape shop owners has shown that vape shops use marketing practices resembling current and former tobacco industry strategies, and similarly, attempt to target college students and long-term smokers, thus re-establishing a social norm of smoking 25. Youth and young adults are more likely to visit vape shops and experiment with e-cigarettes for the novelty and flavours instead of for smoking cessation.…”

Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vape shops not only sell e-cigarettes but also provide a more casual and welcoming environment compared to traditional tobacco retail outlets. Along with traditional marketing, vape shops often encourage their employees to share their personal experience using vaping products 9 25 26. We add to the existing literature by examining vape shop density and proximity along with their associations with college/university characteristics.…”

Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, youth and young adults are at a high risk of vaping and could potentially use e-cigarettes as a gateway to smoking 22–24. As college students are more likely to use e-cigarettes for enjoyment than for smoking cessation,4 they may be receptive to e-cigarette marketing that promotes product visibility, advertises discounts and encourages social experiments 9 25 26. Thus, a high density of vape shops around colleges could increase the initiation of vaping among young adults.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geographic density and proximity of vape shops to colleges in the USA

Dai

Hao

2016

Tob Control

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Vape shops are more likely to be located near private institutions and colleges in cities as opposed to rural areas. Smoke-free and e-cigarette-free campus policies have had significant effects in reducing the density of vape shops but have not reduced the proximity of vape shops to colleges. Regulations on the sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes to youth and young adults are critically needed.

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Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Geographic density and proximity of vape shops to colleges in the USA

Dai

Hao

2016

Tob Control

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“…6,9 . Unlike online retailers, vape shops offer a more interactive experience for their customers such as personal interaction with staff members who often also vape, sampling of e-liquids, and customization of vapor devices [9][10][11] . Vape…”

Section: Examining the Smoking And Vaping Behaviors And Preferences Omentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Smoking and Vaping Behaviors and Preferences of Vape Shop Customers

Wagener¹,

Shaikh²,

Meier³

et al. 2016

Tob. Prev. Cessation

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INTRODUCTION The prevalence of vape shops has increased dramatically in recent years. Yet, few studies have examined the smoking/vaping behaviors and vaping preferences of vape shop customers and the reasons they patronize vape shops. The present study seeks to address this gap. METHODS A convenience sample of 100 vape shop customers completed a brief questionnaire assessing past and current tobacco/e-cigarette use, vaping preferences and reasons they patronize vape shops. Self-reported smoking status was confirmed via exhaled carbon monoxide measurement. RESULTS Participants reported health and the need to quit/reduce smoking as the most important reasons for initiating e-cigarette use. Approximately 62% were biochemically-verified smoking abstinent and 100% were using newer generation e-cigarette devices. A majority (91%) reported enjoying vaping more than smoking, 80% preferred non-tobacco e-cigarette flavors, though 60% reported they would still vape if the only flavor available was tobacco. Participants reported "battery life", "tastes good", and "curbs cravings" as the most important e-cigarette features; the least important feature was "feels/looks like traditional cigarette". A majority reported they preferred to buy e-cigarette supplies at vapor shops because of "access to staff that can help troubleshoot e-cigarette problems" (85%), and "enjoy the atmosphere" (74%). CONCLUSIONS Vape shop customers demonstrated a high rate of smoking abstinence and reported product preferences consistent with newer generation devices. Customers valued the atmosphere and the knowledgeable staff at vape shops. These findings suggest important avenues of investigation into the effects of unique characteristics of vape shops on smoking and vaping behaviors of their patrons, not only for clinical research but also for tobacco regulation.

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“…Previous studies show that vape shops play an important role in providing information [24, 25]. Vape shop owners and employees have positive attitudes towards and beliefs about ENDS [23–25] and engage in marketing which resembles tobacco industry marketing practices [26]. In addition to selling and providing information about ENDS, vape shops build rapport with customers and create an atmosphere around vaping which allows for interaction, builds a sense of community, and attracts customers [24, 27, 28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A qualitative assessment of business perspectives and tactics of tobacco and vape shop retailers in three communities in Orange County, CA, 2015–2016

Yang

Lee

2018

Arch Public Health

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BackgroundIn response to the growing awareness and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), or e-cigarettes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asserted its regulatory authority over ENDS in May 2016. Federal, state, and local regulatory action on ENDS may have significant and unique impacts on specialty ENDS retailers, including tobacco and vape shops. The purpose of this study is to describe the commercial motivations of vape shops in minority communities as business entities whose financial interests and actions may be particularly impacted by regulation of ENDS.MethodsSpecialty tobacco and vape retail stores in three minority communities were identified through an online search and community canvassing. Key informant interviews were conducted with tobacco and vape shop owners or managers discussing the business interests and tactics of selling ENDS for their store. Interview data were coded and analyzed for major themes.ResultsInterviews with 18 tobacco shops and 9 vape shops were completed. Tobacco shops’ reasons for carrying e-cigarettes were business oriented, focused on maintaining their customer base. In comparison, vape shops opened because of the owner’s positive experiences with e-cigarettes and belief in the potential of e-cigarettes to help people quit or reduce smoking. Tobacco shops mainly see their customers as using e-cigarettes to quit smoking whereas vape shops reported their customers using e-cigarettes for more varied reasons. Tobacco shops are much more limited in their marketing than vape shops, which rely heavily on social media and experimentation with other forms of marketing.ConclusionsTobacco shops and vape shops differ in their rationale and approaches to the business of e-cigarettes. Vape shops engage in a wide range of activities that stabilize their financial interest and increase their influence with customers and within the vape community. In order for regulatory policymaking and tobacco control interventions to maximize effectiveness, the actions of vape shops in promoting ENDS use and influencing policy debates must be taken into account.

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Marketing Practices of Vapor Store Owners

Cited by 65 publications

References 29 publications

Geographic density and proximity of vape shops to colleges in the USA

Geographic density and proximity of vape shops to colleges in the USA

Examining the Smoking and Vaping Behaviors and Preferences of Vape Shop Customers

A qualitative assessment of business perspectives and tactics of tobacco and vape shop retailers in three communities in Orange County, CA, 2015–2016

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