Chu K, Hershey TB, Hoffman BL, et al. Puff Bars, Tobacco Policy Evasion, and Nicotine Dependence: Content Analysis of Tweets. J Med Internet Res. 2022;24(3): e27894 ; “…8519 original tweets related to Puff Bar were collected from July 13, 2020, to August 13, 2020. A random 20% subsample (n=2661) was selected for qualitative coding of topics related to nicotine dependence and tobacco policy…. Of the human-coded tweets, 2123 (80.2%) were coded as relevant to Puff Bar as the main topic. Of those tweets, 698 (32.9%) discussed tobacco policy, including flavors (n=320, 45.9%), regulations (n=124, 17.8%), purchases (n=117, 16.8%), and other products (n=110, 15.8%).”
https://www.jmir.org/2022/3/e27894
Conclusion: “This study adds to the growing evidence base that the US Food and Drug Administration ban of e-cigarette flavors did not reduce interest, but rather shifted the discussion to brands utilizing a loophole that allowed flavored products to continue to be sold in disposable devices. Until comprehensive tobacco policy legislation is developed, new products or loopholes will continue to supply nicotine demand.”
Comment: Internet tobacco research helps uncover trends in tobacco policy evasion.
Stephen Hamann
