Posted 26 Sep, 2023
New research exposes the manipulative tricks the e-cigarette industry uses to normalise vaping among teens on social media
Tuesday 26 September, 2023
VicHealth and Quit have today released alarming new research revealing the sneaky and unethical ways the vaping industry uses social media to promote and sell dangerous products to young Australians.
The vaping industry and pro-vaping influencers are flooding social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram with videos and photos which normalise and promote vaping. Some brazen e-cigarette retailers are also advertising products specifically designed for teenagers to hide e-cigarettes from parents and teachers.
Key findings from the research into vaping content on TikTok and Instagram include:
A deluge of pro-vaping content: TikTok is home to more than 18.1 billion posts with the hashtag #vape. On Instagram, 16.4 million posts were tagged #VapeLife – the majority of this content promotes e-cigarette use, and worryingly suggests to underage social media users that vaping is a normal part of life.
The use of vaping ‘influencers’: People or accounts that post positive videos or photos about vaping to motivate their followers are prolific on TikTok and Instagram. By definition, influencers are often paid or incentivised in some way by brands or companies, but it’s not always declared by the influencer. Instagram is home to more than 18,000 ‘vaping influencer’ profiles solely dedicated to promoting vaping.
Humour, sex appeal, tricks and how to hide e-cigarettes: Common themes include using humour to make light of vaping addiction and poke fun at how easy e-cigarettes are for young people to get, promoting products designed to hide or ‘stash’ e-cigarettes from parents or teachers, and associating vape flavours with personal identities.
Retailers masquerading: Many TikTok and Instagram accounts that post vaping content appear to be non-commercial, or created by everyday people, but clicking on the link in the profile takes users straight to an online e-cigarette store.
Anti-vaping content minimal and not enough to counter pro-vaping messages: Across both TikTok and Instagram, the volume of content about vaping health harms, addiction, injury risk and environmental impacts pales in comparison to the amount of content that promotes vaping.
VicHealth CEO, Dr Sandro Demaio said the undeniable goal of the vaping industry is to drive e-cigarette sales and hook young people on nicotine.
“The vaping industry and pro-vaping influencers are flooding social media channels with content that suggests to young people that vaping is funny, cool, sexy and glamourous. They’re sending a dangerous message to Australian kids that vaping is a socially acceptable and a normal part of life, when it’s not,” Dr Demaio said.
“Young people should be free to use social media for entertainment and to connect with family and friends.
“E-cigarettes contain up to 200 toxic chemicals, some of which are incredibly harmful and don’t belong in our lungs. We need to hold the vaping industry accountable for the sneaky digital marketing tactics they’re using to target young Australians.”
VicHealth and Quit support the Federal Government’s plans to modernise existing legislation and prevent young Australians from being exposed to tobacco and vaping advertising and promotion online.
Todd Harper AM, Cancer Council Victoria CEO and former Quit Director said: “The Public Health (Tobacco and other products) Bill introduced into Parliament earlier this month intends to include restricting advertising of e-cigarettes online. This is crucial as the vaping industry continues to evolve its marketing strategies and push the limits of acceptability. We want to see social media free from any content that normalises vaping. We want to ensure young people can confidently say no to vaping or, if they use e-cigarettes, be supported to quit.
“As well as stopping the promotion of e-cigarettes via social media, we also want to see the Federal Government put an end to the sale of e-cigarettes online.
“Social media sites like TikTok and Instagram have an important role to play. 18.1 billion #vape posts is an outrageous number. The concept of vaping influencers is abhorrent. It’s time social media companies cracked down on hosting any content which normalises or promotes vaping. We also know nicotine addiction in young people increases the likelihood of future substance addictions, and triples the likelihood of taking up tobacco smoking. The time to act is now.”
ENDS
Learn more about the research at: vichealth.vic.gov.au/news-publications/research-publications/how-vaping-advertisers-target-young-people
For more information on how to talk to young people about vaping, visit vapingfacts.org.au
For support to stop vaping call Quitline 13 7848 or visit quit.org.au - with WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, text, request a call back and live chat options available
Prue Gildea - Senior Media Advisor, Quit M: 0400 394 274 E: prue.gildea@cancervic.org.au
Shannon Crane – PR Lead, VicHealth M: 0432 157 270 E: scrane@vichealth.vic.gov.au