Helping students handle the pressure of social media as the FDA cracks down on vaping
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on a trend that is spreading across TikTok: vaping.
The FDA recently sent out warning letters to 189 stores across the country that have been selling illegal disposable vapes. One of the brands that have come under fire is Elf Bar, which according to a 2022 study done by the CDC, is the most used disposable vape brand among students ages 16-19 in the United States. Elf Bar gained popularity for a few different reasons. Some attribute it to the wide range of flavors the vape offers, while others believe that the visually appealing accessory advertised by creators on TikTok plays a significant role.
While the FDA’s crackdown on Elf Bar highlights the need for stricter regulations and responsible marketing practices, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of equipping students with the skills to handle the pressure of what they see on social media. By encouraging critical thinking, we can empower students to make positive decisions online and offline, despite what they may be seeing on social media.
What the FDA has to say about disposable vape use among students
Because of its popularity among students and on their favorite social media platforms like TikTok, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to restrict the sale and distribution of vapes, particularly when concerning students. For example, in 2020 they banned companies from selling nondisposable vapes in fruity and minty flavors. However, they did not ban flavored disposable vapes and as a result, disposable vapes have become the most popular vape option among students.
Certain types of vapes are particularly popular among students. Check out the stats below to find out what they are.
Students & vaping statistics
- Disposable vapes are the most popular option among students at 55.3%
- Elf Bar is the top disposable vape brand among 16-19-year-olds
- #ElfBar has over 2.2 billion views on TikTok— and some of the top videos with that hashtag have over 2 million likes
The FDA recently started issuing warning letters to retailers, instructing them to stop selling Elf Bar and Esco Bars, due to concerns over their appeal to students. Establishments that were known sellers of these products were sent these letters, informing them they violated federal tobacco laws and regulations. The letter explained that failure to comply may result in regulatory or legal action.
That’s not all the FDA is doing when it comes to making sure that students don’t have easy access to flavored disposable vape products. In a recent news release, FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf said, “The FDA is prepared to use all of its authorities to ensure these, and other illegal and youth-appealing products, stay out of the hands of kids.” He added, “We are committed to a multipronged approach using regulation, compliance, and enforcement action and education to protect our nation’s youth.”
The connection between TikTok and vaping
With 97% of students ages 13-17 using the internet daily, students are constantly exposed to a wide variety of topics, some of which may not promote safe or healthy practices. When it comes to how vaping is portrayed on different social media platforms, it is advertised in a mostly positive light. Despite many platforms having content policies that prohibit the promotion of tobacco use, “these policies are routinely violated with little or no consequences.”
That is especially the case with TikTok. One study found that 98% of the e-cigarette-related videos on the app portrayed vaping positively and more than 1 in 4 of these videos violated TikTok’s content policy. About half of the videos referred to the “vaping community,” many popular posts included references to vape tricks, a large majority of the videos were funny, and some even provided details on how and where to purchase products — all of which are effective ways to help vaping appeal to students as an easy, fun, and cool thing to do.
Currently, policies restricting the spread of pro-vaping content on TikTok are limited. Until there is greater regulation of this content, it is important to remind students of the importance of finding their own paths no matter the pressure from others.
TSI’s Take
The recent crackdown by the FDA on vaping, particularly the popular Elf Bar brand, highlights the need to address the pressure students face when exposed to social media trends. While social media platforms offer connection, communication, and creative opportunities, they can also add pressure on students to conform to potentially harmful trends. Until stricter measures are in place, it is even more critical to remind students about the importance of finding their own paths, independent of the pressure from others.
You can empower your students to handle the pressure of social media and stick to a path that fosters their health, happiness, and success by encouraging them to:
- Explore their passions, interests, and values to help them make choices that align with their authentic selves
- Consider the potential risks, consequences, and motivations that may come with participating in viral trends and products
- Build healthy habits that promote high performance in times of stress and pressure
In our Grade 11 #WinAtSocial Handle the Pressure Lesson, Building habits to enhance peak performance under pressure, students explore ways to enhance their performance under pressure, reflect on expert advice for staying calm, and practice techniques that are proven to reduce stress.
For access to this lesson and more, contact us today!
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