Analysis of Candy Tobacco Imitation Products Available Online in the United States.

Abstract

Youth tobacco use remains a critical public health concern, and childhood use of candy tobacco imitation products (CTIP) is associated with cigarette use among youth. However, no research has examined the full extent of CTIP available for purchase in the United States. We conducted a content analysis of CTIP available on English-language, US-based websites. We identified sites that marketed CTIP utilizing Google and candy retail websites, examining each product for product names, the tobacco product being replicated (eg, cigar and cigarette), manufacturer, candy flavor, images, product rating, pack color, and if the product had packaging that may appeal to youth. We found 66 CTIP available. The most popular CTIP were cigars, with 39 separate products (59%), followed by candy cigarettes-14 products (21%), candy pipes-8 products (12%), and chewing tobacco-5 products (8%). In the 52 products where packaging design was available, 39 (75%) had packaging that may appeal to youth. CTIP, many of which contain packaging appealing to youth, are widely available for purchase online across the United States. These findings could stimulate policy actions, such as removal of CTIP from popular retail websites, labeling of CTIP as potentially dangerous to youth, or age verification requirements for purchasing CTIP. CTIP continues to be sold on the internet despite research indicating candy cigarette product use by youth increases their likelihood of smoking. We conducted research to understand the extent to which CTIP are sold on the internet and whether these products are being marketed to youth. The results provide evidence that some of the largest retail companies in the world continue to sell CTIP, and the majority are sold in packaging that likelyappeals to youth. The results suggest that further research into the market for these products is needed, and regulatory measures should be considered to prevent CTIP from leading to youth tobacco use.