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Rohde JA, Muro AH, D'Angelo H. Characteristics of and engagement with URL resources shared among online vaping communities on Reddit. Tob Control 2024:tc-2023-058533. [PMID: 39153862 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Reddit is a popular social media platform for sharing information about vaping. Little is known about the types of external resources that Reddit users in vaping communities share and engage with. METHODS We analysed 2315 posts containing uniform resource locators (URLs) published to vaping communities on Reddit between November 2021 and October 2022. We coded URLs into eight mutually exclusive domain types. A mixed-effects Poisson regression model examined whether domain type was associated with user engagement (ie, number of unique commenters). RESULTS Posts contained links to social media (35%), image hosting (31%), vaping-related commerce (19%), eJuice (12%), general vaping (6%), news (2%) and research (1%) URL domains. There were 237 unique vaping-related commerce domains (eg, ziipstock.com). The average number of commenters per post was 5.43 (SD=8.04). The rate of commenters was higher for posts sharing research (adjusted rate ratio (aRR) 1.74, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.36) and news (aRR 1.56, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.38) domains compared with vape-related commerce domains. CONCLUSION Reddit users in vaping communities share and interact with a variety of external resources. The >200 different vaping-related commerce domains in our sample speak to the breadth and availability of websites that Reddit users (perhaps even those underage) may be using to browse and purchase vaping devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A Rohde
- Consumer Behavior Research Program, Center for Communication & Media Impact, RTI International, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Abigail H Muro
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Heather D'Angelo
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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2
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Kim I, Begay C, Ma HJ, Orozco FR, Rogers CJ, Valente TW, Unger JB. E-Cigarette-Related Health Beliefs Expressed on Twitter Within the U.S. AJPM FOCUS 2023; 2:100067. [PMID: 37790637 PMCID: PMC10546567 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction This mixed-methods study analyzed English-language U.S.-based Twitter posts related to E-cigarette use from February 2021. Methods Posts were manually identified as health-related or not and, if health-related, whether they were posted by an E-cigarette user. A random selection of 1,000 health-related tweets from 986 unique E-cigarette users were qualitatively content analyzed for theory of planned behavior constructs as well as nature and tone of each tweet message. Using quantitative semantic network analysis, relationships among the identified topics and sentiment-specific conversation patterns were explored. Results The most salient health-related conversation topics of E-cigarette users, health beliefs corresponding to each theory of planned behavior construct, and major motivational contexts of E-cigarette use were identified. Seven topics emerged in positive tweets: smoking cessation, social impact generation, controls over addiction, therapeutic effects on physical and mental health, social support, device attachment, and peer influence. Nine topics emerged in negative tweets: side effects on physical health, vaping addiction, lack of E-cigarette regulations, peer pressure, increased risk of COVID-19, side effects on mental health, no help in smoking cessation, social conflict, and polysubstance use. Most assertions for E-cigarette benefits were not substantiated. Jokes in tweets appeared to contribute to the view of vaping as an attractive, enjoyable, safe, and fun activity. Discussions about positive aspects of E-cigarette use were concentrated on a few related topics, whereas tweets discouraging E-cigarette use presented a diverse, less related set of topics. Conclusions The results provide insights into the drivers of E-cigarette use behaviors. E-cigarette user perspectives gathered from social media may inform research to guide future prevention and cessation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Kim
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Dornsife Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Cynthia Begay
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Harrison J. Ma
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Francis R. Orozco
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christopher J. Rogers
- College of Health and Human Development, California State University Northridge, Los Angeles, California
| | - Thomas W. Valente
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jennifer B. Unger
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Sidani JE, Hoffman B, Colditz JB, Wolynn R, Hsiao L, Chu KH, Rose JJ, Shensa A, Davis E, Primack B. Discussions and Misinformation About Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and COVID-19: Qualitative Analysis of Twitter Content. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e26335. [PMID: 35311684 PMCID: PMC9009382 DOI: 10.2196/26335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Misinformation and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are increasing. Some of this may stem from early reports suggesting a lower risk of severe COVID-19 in nicotine users. Additionally, a common conspiracy is that the e-cigarette or vaping product use–associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreak of 2019 was actually an early presentation of COVID-19. This may have important public health ramifications for both COVID-19 control and ENDS use. Objective Twitter is an ideal tool for analyzing real-time public discussions related to both ENDS and COVID-19. This study seeks to collect and classify Twitter messages (“tweets”) related to ENDS and COVID-19 to inform public health messaging. Methods Approximately 2.1 million tweets matching ENDS-related keywords were collected from March 1, 2020, through June 30, 2020, and were then filtered for COVID-19–related keywords, resulting in 67,321 original tweets. A 5% (n=3366) subsample was obtained for human coding using a systematically developed codebook. Tweets were coded for relevance to the topic and four overarching categories. Results A total of 1930 (57.3%) tweets were coded as relevant to the research topic. Half (n=1008, 52.2%) of these discussed a perceived association between ENDS use and COVID-19 susceptibility or severity, with 42.4% (n=818) suggesting that ENDS use is associated with worse COVID-19 symptoms. One-quarter (n=479, 24.8%) of tweets discussed the perceived similarity/dissimilarity of COVID-19 and EVALI, and 13.8% (n=266) discussed ENDS use behavior. Misinformation and conspiracy theories were present throughout all coding categories. Conclusions Discussions about ENDS use and COVID-19 on Twitter frequently highlight concerns about the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 for ENDS users; however, many contain misinformation and conspiracy theories. Public health messaging should capitalize on these concerns and amplify accurate Twitter messaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime E Sidani
- Center for Social Dynamics and Community Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Beth Hoffman
- Center for Social Dynamics and Community Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jason B Colditz
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Riley Wolynn
- Kenneth P Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Lily Hsiao
- Kenneth P Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kar-Hai Chu
- Center for Social Dynamics and Community Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jason J Rose
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ariel Shensa
- Department of Health Administration and Public Health, John G Rangos Sr School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Esa Davis
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian Primack
- College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AZ, United States
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Clendennen SL, Case KR, Sumbe A, Mantey DS, Mason EJ, Harrell MB. Stress, Dependence, and COVID-19-related Changes in Past 30-day Marijuana, Electronic Cigarette, and Cigarette Use among Youth and Young Adults. Tob Use Insights 2021; 14:1179173X211067439. [PMID: 34987299 PMCID: PMC8721399 DOI: 10.1177/1179173x211067439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies show smoking and vaping behaviors increase risk of contracting and worse symptoms of COVID-19. This study examines whether past 30-day youth and young adult users of marijuana, e-cigarettes, and cigarettes self-reported changes in their use of these substances due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and cross-sectional associations between perceived stress, nicotine or marijuana dependence, and COVID-19-related changes in use. METHODS Participants were 709 past 30-day self-reported substance users from the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance study (TATAMS; mean age = 19; 58% female; 38% Hispanic, 35% white). Multiple logistic regression models assessed cross-sectional associations between perceived stress and dependence and increased, decreased, or sustained past 30-day use of marijuana, e-cigarettes, and cigarettes due to COVID-19 (e.g., "Has your marijuana use changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak?"). Covariates included age, race/ethnicity, socio-economic status (SES), dependence (exposure: stress), and stress (exposure: dependence). RESULTS Most participants reported sustained (41%, 43%, 49%) or increased (37%, 34%, 25%) use of marijuana, e-cigarettes, and cigarettes due to COVID-19, respectively. Participants who reported symptoms of dependence were significantly more likely than their non-dependent peers to report increasing their marijuana (AOR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.15-2.39) and e-cigarette (AOR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.38-4.77) use. Those who reported higher perceived stress were significantly more likely to report increasing their marijuana use (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.01-2.42). CONCLUSIONS Most youth and young adults did not decrease their substance use amid a global, respiratory disease pandemic. Health messaging and interventions that address the health effects of smoking and vaping as well as factors like stress and dependence that may be barriers to decreasing use are vital in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Clendennen
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kathleen R Case
- Center for Research to Advance Community Health (ReACH), UTHealth San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Aslesha Sumbe
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Dale S Mantey
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Emily J Mason
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Melissa B Harrell
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Austin, TX, USA
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5
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Cai X, Zhao X, Rossheim ME, Xue H. Vaping and COVID-19 Risk: Perceived link and its correlates among at-risk adolescents. Prev Med Rep 2021; 24:101598. [PMID: 34660184 PMCID: PMC8503971 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Research shows that a significant number of adolescents and young adults quit vaping or reduced the amount of nicotine consumed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a lack of evidence on adolescent risk perceptions regarding the link between vaping and susceptibility to contracting COVID-19. This study examined the level of perceived COVID-19 risk due to vaping among at-risk adolescents. A sample (N = 1,251) of adolescents aged 13 to 17 and susceptible to future vaping were recruited through Qualtrics to participate in an online survey. More than two thirds of the sample (68.34%) reported that vaping would increase one's risk of contracting COVID-19. Ordinal logistic regression showed that this risk perception was positively associated with perceived prevalence of vaping among peers (AOR = 1.186, 95%CI = 1.019-1.382) and prior exposure to vaping product advertising (AOR = 1.371, 95%CI = 1.221-1.539), and negatively associated with past 30-day vaping (AOR = 0.579, 95%CI = 0.406-0.825) and number of closest friends who vaped (AOR = 0.873, 95%CI = 0.779-0.978). Further analysis stratified by past 30-day vaping showed that, among those who vaped in the past 30 days, vaping-related covid risk perception was positively associated with susceptibility to future vaping (AOR = 1.562, 95%CI = 1.161-2.101) and sensation-seeking (AOR = 1.212, 95%CI = 1.003-1.463). These results are open to different interpretations because of the cross-sectional nature of the data. Additional research is needed to better understand the observed relationships and their implications for vaping prevention during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Cai
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, United States
| | - Xiaoquan Zhao
- Department of Communication, George Mason University, United States
| | - Matthew E. Rossheim
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, United States
| | - Hong Xue
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, United States
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Farsalinos K. Speculation vs. evidence in the association between e-cigarette use and COVID-19: A response to Soule et al. Prev Med Rep 2021; 23:101295. [PMID: 34395182 PMCID: PMC8356018 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Farsalinos
- School of Public Health, University of West Attica, L. Alexandras 196, Athens 11521, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Rio 26500, Greece
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7
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Soule EK, Kheradmand F, Eissenberg T. Response to "Speculation vs. evidence in the association between e-cigarette use and COVID-19". Prev Med Rep 2021; 23:101322. [PMID: 34395183 PMCID: PMC8355907 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eric K Soule
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.,Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Farrah Kheradmand
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, & Michael E. DeBakey VA Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thomas Eissenberg
- Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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