Social media’s role in our smoking youth

Maytinee Kramer/Staff Writer

 

 

I don’t smoke, nor do I plan to start. However, the National Center for Health and Statistics reports that about 18 percent of Americans are smokers, a rate that has significantly decreased since 1997 when almost 25 percent smoked.

In today’s society, it has become increasingly difficult to disconnect from social media, which plays a negative role in youth smoking. Media has expanded far beyond the employment of more traditional channels such as newspapers, magazines, radio and television.

With our increasing use of the Internet and interactive video gaming, tobacco control and tobacco industries have been turning to social media to influence the attitudes and behaviors of the American public.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cigarettes are one of the most heavily marketed products in the United States.

Tobacco advertising is dominated by three themes: satisfaction, the mitigation of anxieties about the dangers of smoking and the creation of associations between smoking and desirable outcomes.

According to data from the U.S. surgeon general, a vast majority of smokers start before they are 18, an age group that is heavily targeted by tobacco companies.

To smoke or not to smoke is a lifelong decision that young adults are not mature enough to make, and most do not consider the consequences when they start.

Media has been well recognized as a key factor in shaping young people’s social and psychological development. Technology and social media has allowed imagery of smoking to enter the personal scope of the consumer.

Through social media, people feel like they are doing something of their own choice without outside pressure. Social media helps in creating an emotional bond that causes people to feel as though consuming something is part of their identity.

In a study published by the Journal of Adolescent Health, a survey of 1,563 tenth grade students in Los Angeles over a six-month period starting October 2010 revealed that 34 percent of respondents had at least one friend who talked about partying on social media, while 20 percent reported that their friends posted photos of them drinking online.

In short, the study revealed that those who were more exposed to photos of friends smoking and drinking were more likely to engage in those activities themselves.

In addition, teens who had few friends who smoked or drank were more likely to be influenced by other pictures of people drinking or smoking on social media to engage in such activities. This suggests that the pictures, rather than actual interaction, was the primary influence.

Popular media also forms a large pervasive environment of young people’s social environment as it frequently includes references to tobacco.

Even if the intention may not be to promote smoking or any kind of deliberate message, many young people feel that what they see is a realistic reflection of actual life that will not influence their own decisions.

In January of 2011, FIU became a tobacco and smoke free campus where under the regulation, smoking and use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, are prohibited in all areas of FIU’s campuses. This came with the university’s commitment to providing students with a safe and healthy environment.

However, some individuals do not respect the regulation and smoking can still be found in some of the quieter, more secluded spots around campus.

Panthers should be concerned about their health as well as the health of others, especially for smokers who might be causing others harm through second-hand smoking.

Rather than allowing social media to influence students the wrong way, students can instead adopt a healthier lifestyle that reflects on their use of technology. Support groups and positive, encouraging messages can go a long way. Better yet, they can be a tool to encourage smokers to kick their habit.

 

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of FIU Student Media Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

Image from pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smoke-fume-cigarette-fag-9024/