National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
Health Promot J Austr. 2024 Jul;35(3):835-839. doi: 10.1002/hpja.791. Epub 2023 Aug 22.
The increase of youth vaping in Australia has raised concerns, especially with increasing promotions of vaping products. We observed the visibility of vaping products near high-adolescent-traffic areas.
We examined stores within walking distance of high schools and the central business district (CBD) in Brisbane, Australia, observing the number and proportion of stores selling or displaying vaping products. Using an observational approach, we analysed advertisements and open displays of vaping products at tobacconists, vape stores, and convenience stores.
We identified 61 eligible stores located near schools or in the CBD. Overall, 20% of stores displayed vaping products externally, with higher proportions among vape stores (78%) compared to tobacconists (36%). Additionally, 46% of stores had visible interior displays, with vape stores (89%) displaying them more frequently than tobacconists (71%). Among the 28 stores displaying vaping products, 57% included warnings, one store featured only flavoured products, and 25% showcased nicotine-containing products. Youth-appealing features were present in all but one store, with cartoons (61%) as the most common feature.
Vapes were displayed near high schools and in the city, often featuring youth-appealing features, such as colours and flavours. SO WHAT?: The exposure to such promotions could normalise vaping and contribute to increased youth uptake. Continued monitoring of vaping product promotions is essential, particularly considering recent policy changes.
澳大利亚青少年吸电子烟的人数不断增加，引起了人们的担忧，尤其是电子烟产品的推广力度不断加大。我们观察到，在青少年流量大的地区附近电子烟产品随处可见。
我们检查了澳大利亚布里斯班高中和中央商务区附近步行范围内的商店，观察销售或展示电子烟产品的商店数量和比例。我们采用观察法分析了烟草店、电子烟商店和便利店的电子烟产品广告和开放式展示。
我们确定了 61 家位于学校附近或中央商务区的合格商店。总体而言，20%的商店在外展示电子烟产品，电子烟商店（78%）的比例明显高于烟草店（36%）。此外，46%的商店有可见的内部展示，电子烟商店（89%）比烟草店（71%）更频繁地展示。在展示电子烟产品的 28 家商店中，57%的商店有警告标识，一家商店只展示调味产品，25%的商店展示含尼古丁的产品。除了一家商店外，所有商店都有吸引年轻人的特色，其中卡通形象（61%）是最常见的特色。
电子烟在高中附近和城市中随处可见，通常具有吸引年轻人的特点，如颜色和口味。所以呢？：这种促销活动的曝光可能会使吸电子烟变得正常化，并导致更多的年轻人开始吸电子烟。有必要继续监测电子烟产品的促销活动，特别是考虑到最近的政策变化。
