Influence of Flavors on the Propagation of E-Cigarette–Related Information : Social media study
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
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Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Article number | e27 |
Journal / Publication | JMIR Public Health and Surveillance |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 23 Mar 2018 |
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DOI | DOI |
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Link to Scopus | https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85047764254&origin=recordpage |
Permanent Link | https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(9fa2a1f4-9514-4c90-8046-996061712429).html |
Abstract
Background: Modeling the influence of e-cigarette flavors on information propagation could provide quantitative policy decision support concerning smoking initiation and contagion, as well as e-cigarette regulations.
Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the influence of flavors on e-cigarette–related information propagation on social media.
Methods: We collected a comprehensive dataset of e-cigarette–related discussions from public Pages on Facebook. We identified 11 categories of flavors based on commonly used categorizations. Each post’s frequency of being shared served as a proxy measure of information propagation. We evaluated a set of regression models and chose the hurdle negative binomial model to characterize the influence of different flavors and nonflavor control variables on e-cigarette–related information propagation.
Results: We found that 5 flavors (sweet, dessert & bakery, fruits, herbs & spices, and tobacco) had significantly negative influences on e-cigarette–related information propagation, indicating the users’ tendency not to share posts related to these flavors. We did not find a positive significance of any flavors, which is contradictory to previous research. In addition, we found that a set of nonflavor–related factors were associated with information propagation.
Conclusions: Mentions of flavors in posts did not enhance the popularity of e-cigarette–related information. Certain flavors could even have reduced the popularity of information, indicating users’ lack of interest in flavors. Promoting e-cigarette–related information with mention of flavors is not an effective marketing approach. This study implies the potential concern of users about flavorings and suggests a need to regulate the use of flavorings in e-cigarettes.
Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the influence of flavors on e-cigarette–related information propagation on social media.
Methods: We collected a comprehensive dataset of e-cigarette–related discussions from public Pages on Facebook. We identified 11 categories of flavors based on commonly used categorizations. Each post’s frequency of being shared served as a proxy measure of information propagation. We evaluated a set of regression models and chose the hurdle negative binomial model to characterize the influence of different flavors and nonflavor control variables on e-cigarette–related information propagation.
Results: We found that 5 flavors (sweet, dessert & bakery, fruits, herbs & spices, and tobacco) had significantly negative influences on e-cigarette–related information propagation, indicating the users’ tendency not to share posts related to these flavors. We did not find a positive significance of any flavors, which is contradictory to previous research. In addition, we found that a set of nonflavor–related factors were associated with information propagation.
Conclusions: Mentions of flavors in posts did not enhance the popularity of e-cigarette–related information. Certain flavors could even have reduced the popularity of information, indicating users’ lack of interest in flavors. Promoting e-cigarette–related information with mention of flavors is not an effective marketing approach. This study implies the potential concern of users about flavorings and suggests a need to regulate the use of flavorings in e-cigarettes.
Research Area(s)
- E-cigarettes, Electronic nicotine delivery systems, Flavoring agents, Flavors, Information dissemination, Information propagation, Social media, Social networking, Social networks
Citation Format(s)
Influence of Flavors on the Propagation of E-Cigarette–Related Information: Social media study. / Zhou, Jiaqi; Zhang, Qingpeng; Zeng, Daniel Dajun et al.
In: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, Vol. 4, No. 1, e27, 23.03.2018.
In: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, Vol. 4, No. 1, e27, 23.03.2018.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
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