Pro-smoking information scanning using social media predicts young adults' smoking behavior

Abstract

The amount of pro-smoking information appearing on social media has increased sharply in the past few years, which expands the potential for widespread exposure to information about smoking. This study examined the effects of pro-smoking information scanning using social media (i.e., routine patterns of social media exposure to pro-smoking information) on non-smoking young adults' smoking behavior. Drawing upon a longitudinal survey from 314 young adults (aged 18–25), we tested predictions based on the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction. We found pro-smoking information scanning had an indirect impact on smoking intention from attitudes toward smoking, perceived norms about smoking, and smoking self-efficacy. After controlling for baseline behaviors and covariates, reported pro-smoking information scanning using social media at time 1 was a significant predictor of time 2 smoking. Moreover, the results also indicated that non-smoking young adults' frequency of social media use and their participation level were positively related to pro-smoking information scanning. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.