Research shows onscreen tobacco imagery directly contributes to youth vaping crisis

Truth Initiative

March 16, 2023

Cigarettes are still a popular onscreen prop – and it’s fueling youth nicotine addiction

As the youth vaping crisis persists, research shows onscreen tobacco imagery is directly contributing to the problem. Across hit shows like “Shameless,” animated series such as “Big Mouth,” major movies like the remake of “West Side Story,” and music videos from pop stars including Bruno Mars, cigarettes remain a popular prop even as peer-reviewed research finds that smoking images influence young people to start using tobacco products.

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E-cigarette products sold on the market quadruple in just one year

The number of unique e-cigarette products, many of which come in youth-appealing flavors, more than quadrupled from 453 in June 2021 to 2,023 in June 2022, according to a Truth Initiative review of U.S. retail sales data. The increase, based on retail sales estimates from NielsenIQ, shows how companies continue to flagrantly flout the regulatory process and launch new products without authorization from the FDA, a requirement to legally enter the market.

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4 ways the entertainment industry can protect young viewers and combat youth nicotine addiction

Since Truth Initiative first sounded the alarm on the prominence of tobacco imagery in popular streaming and broadcast content, the entertainment industry has faced increasing pressure to address smoking and vaping in media popular among young people. While some slow progress has been made, industry leaders must take further steps to protect young viewers from imagery that has been proven to increase youth tobacco and nicotine use.

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This week in tobacco policy news

Bar Harbor, Maine – The council passed an ordinance to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products.
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Bexley, Ohio - The city council passed an ordinance to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products. The city already had prohibited the sale of flavored e-cigarettes since 2020.
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Rockland, Maine - The city council passed an ordinance to prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.
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