E-cigarette Ads Encourage Smoking Among 20s and 30s... Usage Rate Doubles

National Cancer Center "Advertising and Marketing Regulations Must Be Strengthened"
Retail Stores, Internet, and SNS Electronic Cigarette Advertising

A study has found that exposure to e-cigarette advertisements through retail stores, the internet, and social networking services (SNS) increases the likelihood of using e-cigarettes by 1.5 to 2.2 times among adolescents and young adults in their 20s and 30s.

Professor Myeong Seung-kwon, head of the Graduate School of International Cancer Studies at the National Cancer Center and a family medicine specialist, announced on the 8th that this was confirmed after searching and analyzing seven prospective cohort studies published in international academic journals from 2017 to 2021.

A study has found that adolescents and young adults in their 20s and 30s who are exposed to e-cigarette advertisements through retail stores, the internet, and social networking services (SNS) are 1.5 to 2.2 times more likely to use e-cigarettes.
[Photo by Kim Hyunmin, Asia Economy]

Professor Myeong comprehensively analyzed the results of seven cohort studies finally selected through literature searches in major medical databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Among a total of 25,722 study participants, most were adolescents and young adults in their 20s and 30s, and those exposed to e-cigarette advertisements were 1.53 times more likely to become e-cigarette users compared to those not exposed.

In particular, exposure to advertisements at e-cigarette retail stores increased the likelihood by 2.2 times, and exposure through the internet and social media increased it by 1.5 times.

Professor Myeong said, "Since e-cigarettes were first launched in China in 2004, e-cigarette companies have promoted that e-cigarettes are less harmful to health than conventional cigarettes and can help with smoking cessation," adding, "They have invested enormous costs in advertising e-cigarettes through TV, radio, internet, and social media targeting potential e-cigarette users."

Designated smoking area for electronic cigarettes.
Photo by Moon Honam, Asia Economy

He continued, "This study is significant as the first meta-analysis on this topic worldwide," and emphasized, "Especially since e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults can lead to the initiation of smoking, stricter regulations on e-cigarette advertisements through retail stores, the internet, and social media are necessary."

Seo Hong-gwan, director of the National Cancer Center and former second president of the Korea Anti-Smoking Movement Association, stated, "The World Health Organization reports that nicotine in e-cigarette vapor adversely affects brain development in children and adolescents, causing learning disabilities and anxiety disorders. Additionally, some studies report that various toxic substances in e-cigarettes increase the risk of cardiovascular and lung diseases," adding, "E-cigarettes, which contain carcinogens such as formaldehyde, cannot be considered safe and should be strictly regulated in advertising and marketing just like conventional cigarettes."

The results of this study were published in the latest May 2023 issue of the international academic journal 'Nicotine & Tobacco Research,' indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) in the field of smoking cessation science and technology.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.