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#NicotineAddictionCheck: Puff Bar Culture, Addiction Apathy, and Promotion of E-Cigarettes on TikTok

Author

Listed:
  • Makayla Morales

    (College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA)

  • Alexis Fahrion

    (Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA)

  • Shannon Lea Watkins

    (Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA)

Abstract

This study aimed to classify and delineate types of user-generated content about the disposable e-cigarette Puff Bar shared on the popular video-based social media platform TikTok. We qualitatively analyzed 148 popular TikTok videos collected in July 2020. During an iterative process of data reduction and thematic analysis, we categorized videos by overarching genres and identified emergent themes. Young adults were engaged at all stages of the research process. Together, videos were viewed over 137 million times on TikTok. Seven genres of Puff Bar content emerged: skits and stories, shared vaper experiences, videos to show off, product reviews, product unboxing, promotion of Puff Bar, and crafts. Videos depicted Puff Bar users’ apathy about addiction and a lack of concern of the health effects of e-cigarette use. Additionally, Puff Bar promotion content from underground retailers was extensive and some targeted underage persons. Qualitative analysis of social media content can richly describe emerging online culture and illuminate the motivations of adolescent and young adult e-cigarette use. Social media can facilitate new product adoption; comprehensive e-cigarette regulation and enforcement can counteract these effects by closing loopholes through which new products emerge.

Suggested Citation

  • Makayla Morales & Alexis Fahrion & Shannon Lea Watkins, 2022. "#NicotineAddictionCheck: Puff Bar Culture, Addiction Apathy, and Promotion of E-Cigarettes on TikTok," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1820-:d:742838
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppe Logrieco & Maria Rosaria Marchili & Marco Roversi & Alberto Villani, 2021. "The Paradox of Tik Tok Anti-Pro-Anorexia Videos: How Social Media Can Promote Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Anorexia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-4, January.
    2. Arora, Anuja & Bansal, Shivam & Kandpal, Chandrashekhar & Aswani, Reema & Dwivedi, Yogesh, 2019. "Measuring social media influencer index- insights from facebook, Twitter and Instagram," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 86-101.
    3. Li Sun & Chunliang Tao & Zidian Xie & Dongmei Li, 2020. "Promotion of Disposable Electronic Cigarette Flavors and Topics on Twitter," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-8, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael S. Dunbar & Joan S. Tucker, 2022. "Introduction to the Special Issue “Emerging Trends in Combustible Tobacco and Vaping Product Use”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-4, April.
    2. Jonine Jancey & Tama Leaver & Katharina Wolf & Becky Freeman & Kevin Chai & Stella Bialous & Marilyn Bromberg & Phoebe Adams & Meghan Mcleod & Renee N. Carey & Kahlia McCausland, 2023. "Promotion of E-Cigarettes on TikTok and Regulatory Considerations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-10, May.

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