Study Finds Link Between Social Media, Tobacco Use

Innovation
Jul.14.2022

According to a new study, individuals who viewed tobacco content on social media were more than two times as likely to use the substance compared with those who were not exposed.Both organic content, such as friends’ post, and curated content, or advertisements, were included in the study.

Study Finds Link Between Social Media, Tobacco Use

Findings of the meta-analysis were published in JAMA Pediatrics and also showed that even among never-users, those who viewed tobacco-related content on social media were more than twice as likely to use it in the future than non-viewers.

 

Because results are based largely on surveys conducted at one point in time, a direct cause cannot be confirmed, according to The Hill.

 

The review included 24 datasets, complete with information from 139,624 individuals, the majority of whom were adolescents. The studies also took place in a range of countries that included the United States, Indonesia and Australia.

 

“The proliferation of social media has offered tobacco companies new ways to promote their products, especially to teens and young adults,” said study co-author Jon-Patrick Allem of the Keck School of Medicine in a statement.

 

Those exposed to tobacco on social media were also more likely to have had past 30-day tobacco use, while similar associations of past, current and future use were seen for exposure to tobacco promotions, active engagement with content, passive engagement and exposure among youths and adolescents.

 

Individuals who consumed content on more than one platform were more likely to report current use or future susceptibility compared with single platform viewers.

 

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram and Snapchat were among the platforms hosting tobacco-related content. Notably, relative social media newcomer TikTok was not included in the analysis, but researchers have plans to conduct further studies on new platforms including TikTok and refine associations by different tobacco form, such as e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

 

The content excerpted or reproduced in this article comes from a third-party, and the copyright belongs to the original media and author. If any infringement is found, please contact us to delete it. Any entity or individual wishing to forward the information, please contact the author and refrain from forwarding directly from here.

U.S. FDA Posts Final ZYN MRTP Materials, Sets March 4 Deadline for Public Comments
U.S. FDA Posts Final ZYN MRTP Materials, Sets March 4 Deadline for Public Comments
U.S. FDA has released the final batch of materials for ZYN MRTP applications and set March 4 (11:59 p.m. ET) as the deadline for public comments to be considered in the agency’s review.
Feb.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Louisiana lawmaker pushes bill to ban vape product sales within 300 feet of schools
Louisiana lawmaker pushes bill to ban vape product sales within 300 feet of schools
A Louisiana lawmaker has introduced HB 302, which would prohibit businesses from selling vapor products within 300 feet of schools. The bill would measure the distance by a person walking on the sidewalk from the nearest point on school property to the nearest point of the business. It would also give the commissioner authority to modify how the distance is calculated, while maintaining the 300-foot limit.
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Elfbar warns flavour bans could push over 50,000 Scottish vapers back to smoking
Elfbar warns flavour bans could push over 50,000 Scottish vapers back to smoking
Elfbar said restricting vape flavour choices—potentially under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill—could disrupt established quitting behaviours and increase relapse risk among former smokers. An Opinium survey commissioned by the company reported fruit and sweet flavours have risen in popularity among adult vapers quitting smoking in Scotland, with 62% now using them most often to quit, up from 34% in December 2024.
Feb.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Military Smoking Debate Spotlights E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as a “Bridge”
U.S. Military Smoking Debate Spotlights E-Cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as a “Bridge”
At a policy forum hosted by The Hill and sponsored by PMI US, U.S. defense health officials, lawmakers and industry representatives discussed tobacco use in the military and explored the potential role of smoke-free nicotine products — including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches — as transitional tools to help service members reduce reliance on combustible cigarettes.
PMI
Mar.23
FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
During the FDA PMTA roundtable session on “Studies of Adult Benefit,” officials said flavored ENDS must demonstrate “added benefit” over tobacco-flavored products under the APPH standard, including sustained complete switching evidence. Small manufacturers questioned switching benchmarks, study duration, and bridging expectations.
Feb.11
The UK government plans to expand the scope of its e-cigarette ban to include playgrounds, off-campus areas, and areas outside hospitals.
The UK government plans to expand the scope of its e-cigarette ban to include playgrounds, off-campus areas, and areas outside hospitals.
Government plans would ban vaping in cars carrying children and restrict smoking, vaping and heated tobacco in settings including playgrounds and outside schools across England, subject to a 12-week public consultation. The proposals also say indoor spaces where smoking is already banned would become vape- and heated-tobacco-free, and areas outside hospitals would be included.
Feb.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai