Citation
Lazard, Allison J.; Nicolla, Sydney; Darida, Avery; & Hall, Marissa G. (2021). Negative Perceptions of Young People Using E-Cigarettes on Instagram: An Experiment with Adolescents. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 23(11), 1962-1966. PMCID: PMC8496470Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although e-cigarette marketing on social media increases positive attitudes and experimentation, little is known about non-influencer e-cigarette portrayals of young people.METHODS: High school adolescents (n=928, 15-18) were recruited by Lightspeed Health for an online experiment and randomized to view an Instagram post with or without e-cigarette use. Outcomes were positive and negative perceptions (prototypes), social distance, and willingness to use.
RESULTS: Half (50%) of participants were susceptible to e-cigarette use. E-cigarettes shown (vs. not) led to less positive prototypes, p=.017, more negative prototypes, p=.004, and more social distance, p<.001. Negative prototypes and social distance were moderated by susceptibility (both p<.05); effects among non-susceptible adolescents only. Showing e-cigarettes did not impact willingness to use if offered.
DISCUSSION: Negative perceptions of e-cigarettes use challenge assumptions that vaping online is universally admirable. Highlighting unfavorable opinions of vaping or negative impacts for adolescents' social image are potential strategies for tobacco counter-marketing.
IMPLICATIONS: Despite daily use of visual-based social media by most adolescents, little is known about the influence of e-cigarette use among young people online. Adolescent negative perceptions and desired distance from non-influencers using e-cigarettes on Instagram indicate digital e-cigarette portrayals are not universally accepted. Negative impacts for adolescents' social image present a counter-marketing strategy.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntab099Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2021Journal Title
Nicotine & Tobacco ResearchAuthor(s)
Lazard, Allison J.Nicolla, Sydney
Darida, Avery
Hall, Marissa G.