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Ben Taleb Z, Dabroy DE, Barrientos SA, Ebrahimi Kalan M. Hookah Battle: the global sponsoring and brand marketing of smoking competitions. Tob Control 2024:tc-2024-058788. [PMID: 39059816 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2024-058788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ziyad Ben Taleb
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
| | - Danny Edson Dabroy
- Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, USA
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Reboussin BA, Lazard AJ, Ross JC, Sutfin EL, Romero-Sandoval EA, Suerken CK, Lake S, Horton OE, Zizzi AR, Wagoner E, Janicek A, Boucher M, Wagoner KG. A content analysis of cannabis edibles package marketing in the United States. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 130:104526. [PMID: 39032269 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104526] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With states legalizing cannabis at a rapid pace, and the increasing popularity of edibles, it is important to document marketing practices to better understand how they might be appealing and misleading to consumers to guide state policymakers. METHODS A descriptive content analysis of 1229 cannabis edible packages advertised on a publicly available website between June and November 2022 and available for sale in licensed dispensaries was performed. RESULTS Healthy ingredient descriptors were the most common type of descriptor with 31 % of packages including words like "vegan", "gluten free" and "natural". Quality descriptors like "handcrafted" were on 28 % of packages. Other descriptors were focused on the consumer experience including expected effects (e.g., "relax") (27 %), taste or flavor (e.g., "sour") (21 %) and pharmacokinetics (e.g., "fast-acting") (19 %). Images of non-cannabis plants and outdoor nature settings were on half of packages. Images of the cannabis plant were on 33 % of packages. Flavor imagery including images of food were common (43 %). Other marketing appeals included images of people (15 %), animals (12 %) and space (10 %). CONCLUSIONS Package marketing used by other commercial industries was common on cannabis edible packages. Edibles marketing is distinct from other cannabis products in its ability to focus on the food ingredients which could mislead consumers into thinking the cannabis, rather than the food, is healthy or less harmful. Research examining the impact of cannabis edibles marketing strategies on appeal and harm perceptions is critically needed to guide policymakers as they establish packaging regulations to optimize public health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Reboussin
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States.
| | - Allison J Lazard
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism and Media, 384 Carroll Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | | | - Erin L Sutfin
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
| | - E Alfonso Romero-Sandoval
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
| | - Cynthia K Suerken
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
| | - Shelby Lake
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Hussman School of Journalism and Media, 384 Carroll Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Olivia E Horton
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
| | - Alexandra R Zizzi
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
| | - Emily Wagoner
- North Carolina State University Poole College of Management, 2801 Founders Dr., Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Alondra Janicek
- Wake Forest University College of Arts and Sciences, 104 Reynolda Hall, PO Box 7225, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, United States
| | - Madeleine Boucher
- Wake Forest University College of Arts and Sciences, 104 Reynolda Hall, PO Box 7225, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, United States
| | - Kimberly G Wagoner
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
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Rezk-Hanna M, Maziak W. Unsubstantiated Claims by the Hookah Tobacco Industry to Exempt Flavored Hookah Tobacco Products From Flavor Bans. Nicotine Tob Res 2024:ntae114. [PMID: 38902866 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Rezk-Hanna
- School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wasim Maziak
- Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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Lipkus IM, Mays D, Sheeran P, Pan W, Cameron LD, De Brigard F. Effects of mental simulation of future waterpipe tobacco smoking on attitudes, perceived harms and intended use among young adults. J Behav Med 2022; 45:76-89. [PMID: 34406549 PMCID: PMC8821143 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-021-00245-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The desire to engage in waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) may occur when smokers and nonsmokers conjure positive mental simulations of WTS. However, effects of these simulations on desire to smoke waterpipe tobacco and potential mediators are unexplored. This research addressed these effects among young adult waterpipe tobacco smokers and nonsmokers. Two online studies were conducted with adults ages 18-30. In Study 1, 200 smokers, 190 susceptible nonsmokers, and 182 nonsusceptible nonsmokers were randomized to mentally simulate or not WTS in the future. In Study 2, 234 smokers and 241 susceptible nonsmokers were randomized to four arms: no simulation or simulations that varied valence of experience (positive, negative or no valence provided). Main outcomes were immediate desire to smoke waterpipe tobacco, cognitive and affective attitudes, and perceived harms. In Study 1, mental simulations increased the desire to smoke waterpipe tobacco among smokers. In Study 2, asking participants to simulate WTS positively or with no valence instruction increased desire to smoke relative to negative valence instruction or no simulation. Negative simulations reduced perceived probability of smoking within a month compared to positive simulations. Effects on desire to engage in WTS were mediated by cognitive and affective attitudes among susceptible nonsmokers and by cognitive attitudes among smokers. These findings suggest that exploring when and how often mental simulations about WTS are evoked and their potency for promoting prevention and cessation of WTS merit further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darren Mays
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, USA
| | | | - Wei Pan
- Duke University School of Nursing
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Lipkus I, Sanders C. A Pilot Study Assessing Reactions to Educational Videos on Harm of Waterpipe among Young Adults Susceptible to Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2021; 26:743-752. [PMID: 34758698 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2021.2000522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Young adults who never engaged in waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) yet are open to trying it, that is, are susceptible, is a high-risk group for initiation WTS. Very few interventions dissuade this group from WTS. Thus, we explored how four short videos that varied themes of WTS harms influenced susceptible young adults' risk perceptions, risk beliefs, and susceptibility to future WTS. As part of online cross-sectional study, 208 participants aged 18-34 were randomized to watch or not a short video; each video focused on different themes of WTS risks: physical harms, myths about WTS, addiction, and harms to others. The main outcomes were perceived personal risks, risk beliefs, perceived harm of WTS compared to cigarettes, and susceptibility to future WTS. Watching any video increased beliefs of harm of WTS and lowered susceptibility to future WTS compared to not watching a video. The theme of physical harms was most effective at increasing risk beliefs and lowering susceptibility to future WTS. All four videos were rated as credible, engaging, personally relevant, producing negative affect toward WTS, and effective at dissuading WTS. These promising findings suggest further testing is needed to determine if effects persist and prevent WTS among adults susceptible to WTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Lipkus
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Camilla Sanders
- Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Kidanu AW, Shi R, Cruz-Cano R, Feldman RH, Butler J, Dyer TV, Fryer CS, Clark PI. Health Information on Waterpipe Lounge Menus to Educate Young Adults: Pilot Study Findings. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2021; 49:618-628. [PMID: 34176309 DOI: 10.1177/10901981211020990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For years, tobacco risk communication has largely focused on cigarette smoking. New strategies must be developed to adapt to emerging tobacco products, such as waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS). AIMS The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the preliminary effects of health information on waterpipe lounge menus on the perceptions of harm and risk from WTS and inform future efficacy interventions for health communication (i.e., educating populations on the risks, harms, and health consequences of WTS). METHOD Participants aged 18 to 24 years (n = 213) who smoked waterpipe at least monthly were randomized to one of four waterpipe lounge menu groups using a two-by-two experimental design with "warning message" and "nicotine content" as factors. RESULTS Those who viewed waterpipe lounge menus that included a warning message had greater perceived relative harm to health and perceived risk of decreased lung function from WTS. Those who viewed waterpipe lounge menus that included nicotine content had greater perceived risk of heart attack from WTS. DISCUSSION Participants who were exposed to health warnings of WTS and information on the nicotine content of waterpipe tobacco increased on measures of perceived relative harm and risk of health consequences. CONCLUSION The pilot test results indicate promise for providing health information on waterpipe lounge menus to educate young adults on the harms and risks of WTS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rui Shi
- Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA
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