#Discreetshipping: Selling E-cigarettes on TikTok

Introduction Capsule cigarettes allow users to crush liquid-filled capsules to release flavors into cigarettes’ filters. New devices are emerging across the globe that allow people who smoke to circumvent tobacco flavor restrictions via injectable capsules. This study examined TikTok videos marketing flavored capsule injector devices. Methods TikTok videos (n = 832) posted worldwide between July 6, 2021, and December 28, 2023, that used hashtags #injectorflavor, #flavourclickball, #flavorball, and #injectorballcigarette were collected using a TikTok application programing interface. A codebook was developed using a systematic iterative approach, identifying six codes: flavor capsules, promotes flavors (i.e., fruit, mint or menthol flavors, non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic drinks), demonstrates how to use or refill large injector devices, demonstrates how to use small convenient devices, includes music (any or English-language). Two independent coders annotated all videos. Results Overall, 88.3% (n=735) of the videos displayed flavor capsules and had been viewed more than 72 million times. Half (51.6%) of the videos demonstrated how to use large box-shaped devices to inject capsules into the filter of a cigarette, and 15.0% of the videos showed how to do this with smaller, more convenient devices. Flavors including fruit (35.5%), menthol/mint (27.8%), non-alcoholic drinks (21.9%), and alcoholic drinks (11.6%) were used to promote these capsules. Most videos (85.6%) were uploaded by sellers on “TikTok shop.” Discussion TikTok accounts are promoting injectable capsule devices that circumvent flavored tobacco sales restrictions. Policy makers, tobacco control advocates, and public health practitioners should be aware of such marketing to inform regulation and develop prevention strategies. Implications Our findings identified an emerging product that can encourage circumvention of flavor restriction policies. Regulators, policy makers, public health practitioners, researchers, and advocates should be aware of such products to inform regulation and develop prevention strategies. Given the potential for these products to reduce the intended effects of flavored tobacco sales restrictions, policy makers must be poised to address materials that consumers use to create their own flavored tobacco products, including flavor capsules designed to be inserted into cigarettes.

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Tobacco control policies discussed on social media: a scoping review

Dobbs,

Kong,

Lovett

et al. 2024

Tob Control

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ObjectiveTo describe the scope of published literature about tobacco-related policy discussions from social media data and discuss implications for tobacco control policy and future research.Data sourcesPubMed, Medline, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched on 20 November 2023, using search terms for social media, tobacco, and policy. The search was limited from 2005 to 2023.Study selectionAfter removing duplicates, 2 authors reviewed 1118 articles. Those found to be irrelevant based on title (1078) and abstract (18) review were removed.Data extractionData included study descriptions (eg, policy discussed, social media platform and number of posts), study characteristics (eg, methodology, sentiment analysis (propolicy, antipolicy, neutral policy and unclear policy)), and major and additional findings.Data synthesisOf the 22 articles, most examined discussions about USA (n=18) federal regulations (n=17) via human annotation (n=18), using Twitter (X; n=20). Of the 14 papers that discussed sentiment, 4 collected data at different time points; frequency of positive posts typically decreased after policy announcements. Policies discussed in articles included flavour restrictions; USA ban of Puff Bar; Tobacco 21; tobacco taxes; e-cigarette regulation; UK’s standardised packaging; product authorisation; regulating e-cigarettes as a medical product; WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control regulatory actions; Australia’s import restrictions on vaping products and smoke-free and tobacco-free college campus policies.ConclusionsSocial media data can be leveraged to examine timely discourse regarding tobacco control policies. Identified methods of circumventing proposed tobacco control laws and enforcement challenges should be considered by regulatory agencies to close policy loopholes and inform implementation practices.

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#Discreetshipping: Selling E-cigarettes on TikTok

Cited by 5 publications

References 17 publications

E-cigarette access and age verification among adolescents, young adults, and adults

E-cigarette access and age verification among adolescents, young adults, and adults

Do-It-Yourself Flavored Capsule Cigarettes: Exploiting Potential Regulatory Loopholes?

Tobacco control policies discussed on social media: a scoping review

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