Abstract
A health scare can be described as a campaign that attempts to alert the public of a particular substance or activity that can lead to a negative effect on health. A recent health scare to emerge relates to the health hazards associated with the use of e-cigarettes, which has caused widespread debate, which peaked towards the end of 2019. Health scares need to be studied in the context in which they occur, and one method of studying them is through social media. This paper identifies two key topics of discussion on Twitter, which consisted of pro-vaping and anti-vaping views. The paper then identifies influential users, frequently occurring words, hashtags, and websites related to this time period in order to gain insight into e-cigarette perceptions. The paper then reviews current scientific evidence and develops a flowchart for the general public, which can be used to for public reassurance and guidance.
Highlights
Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are handheld battery operated devices that heat liquid and deliver an aerosol that simulates smoking
There was a sizeable isolates group (Group 1), which indicated that a number of Twitter users were tweeting about e-cigarettes without mentioning or replying to other Twitter users
Current advice provided by Centers for Disease Control [20,21,22] notes that e-cigarettes are likely to be safer than smoking traditional cigarettes
Summary
Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are handheld battery operated devices that heat liquid and deliver an aerosol that simulates smoking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products [5,6]. All of this information is generating widespread debate, which we can be framed as a health scare [7,8] similar to other scares such as the current COVID-19 scare, as well as the H1N1 virus (swine flu), trans fats, Ebola, and the mobile phone usage health scare [9,10]. Health scares can be described as campaigns that attempt to alert the public of a particular substance or activity that can lead to a negative effect on health [11]
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