Social media use by leading US e-cigarette, cigarette, smokeless tobacco, cigar and hookah brands

Abstract

BackgroundYouth and young adults frequently use social media and are susceptible to tobacco use. This study is the first to provide a systematic overview of how leading tobacco product brands use popular social media platforms.MethodsWe identified 112 leading brands of e-cigarettes, hookah, cigars, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco based on sales and self-report user data. We searched for each brand on six platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Tumblr. In early 2019, we conducted a content analysis of each page, coding: age restrictions, warning display, page characteristics and post characteristics.ResultsCigarette brands were generally not present. Most e-cigarettes, hookah and cigar brands had pages on at least two platforms. One-third of smokeless brands had pages on at least one platform. Few brands had pages on Pinterest and Tumblr. Most pages had existed for 3–5 years. Overall, brand pages rarely used age gating, did not display health warnings, generally posted images of a product alone and often used hashtags unrelated to tobacco. Brands commonly used special features like ephemeral posts on Instagram and pop-up chat windows on Facebook. Many pages displayed images of young people and mentioned flavour. Median followers per brand ranged from about 1 000–10 000, and total followers summed across brands reached over 5 million on Facebook and Instagram alone.ConclusionsLeading brands of most tobacco product types use social media extensively. Several findings identify issues related to youth exposure to and appeal of tobacco social media marketing. Findings can inform tobacco education efforts and regulation.

Compliance With Cannabis Act Regulations Regarding Online Promotion Among Canadian Commercial Cannabis-Licensed Firms

“…Cannabis Act Compliance With Online Promotion Rules by Cannabis Firms in Canada cigarettes. 15,32 Cannabis advertising also increases intent to use among youth and perceived ease of access, which are both associated with cannabis use in adolescents. 33,34 Although regulatory bodies prohibit promotional material to youth, the barriers to youth access are suboptimal.…”

“…In addition to lessons from cigarette and alcohol advertising, more recent lessons from electronic cigarettes caution against advertising explicitly and implicitly to youth through social media channels, amplified by hashtags and compensated influencers. 14 , 15 To begin to address these challenges, the Cannabis Act 16 specifies a number of prohibitions related to cannabis promotion. Nonetheless, there is no systematic monitoring or enforcement.…”

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and initiation among young people in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019

“…As the tobacco industry innovates new ways to market their products, including leveraging social media to reach young people through marketing campaigns and so-called influencers, tobacco control strategies must also evolve. 30 , 32 , 33 In the digital age, bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship recommended by MPOWER must extend to internet-based media, but as of 2018 only 25% of countries have comprehensively banned all forms of direct and indirect advertising. 2 Closing these loopholes and partnering with key social media stakeholders to enforce such bans is crucial to protecting young people from the harmful effects of tobacco.…”

Self-reported exposure of Indonesian adolescents to online and offline tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS)

“…11 The use of online advertising is also demonstrated by a study from the USA, showing that each cigarette brand in the USA uses at least two social media platforms for promotion and posts approximately two new posts per week on Facebook and Instagram. 16 Most of these online ads have no age restriction statement, which indicates that contents are visible to youth. 16 Adolescent smoking prevalence in Indonesia increased from 7.2% in 2013 to 9.1% in 2018.…”

“…16 Most of these online ads have no age restriction statement, which indicates that contents are visible to youth. 16 Adolescent smoking prevalence in Indonesia increased from 7.2% in 2013 to 9.1% in 2018. 17 Many Indonesian adolescents reported to notice cigarette advertising at PoS (65.2%), on television (56.8%), outdoor media (60.9%) and social media (36.2%).…”