Summary
Introduction: This text is a summary of a study examining the relationship between social media use and the use of alternative tobacco products, specifically electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and hookah. The study analyzes the social media profiles of ENDS and hookah users and surveys their attitudes and behaviors related to these products.
Key Points:
* The study surveyed 21 ENDS users and 20 hookah users who regularly used the internet and social media.
* Both groups used the internet to look up information about their respective tobacco product, and a majority of both groups were exposed to content posted by friends in their social media network about their respective products online.
* Hookah users were more likely to have references to hookah on their social media profiles and to see content posted by friends about hookah on social media.
* Those who posted about hookah on social media and those who read about ENDS online had lower perceived vulnerability to the health risks associated with tobacco products.
* Participants generally perceived users of their own product more favorably and reported social pressure to use these products.
* The majority of participants were interested in a social media-based quit intervention.
Main Message: The study suggests that social media plays an important role in exposure to and attitudes towards alternative tobacco products. Hookah and ENDS users may be easily persuaded by information found on the internet, and social networks represent valuable potential resources for communicating about risks and harm reduction related to these products. The study also highlights the potential for social media-based quit interventions for tobacco users.
Citation
Link, Alissa R., Philip B. Cawkwell, Donna R. Shelley, and Scott E. Sherman. “An Exploration of Online Behaviors and Social Media Use among Hookah and Electronic-Cigarette Users.” Addictive Behaviors Reports 2 (December 2015): 37–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2015.05.006.
