Skip to Main Content
College of Communication
  • Programs
  • Student Life
  • Career
  • Give
Search
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Advertising
    • Emerging Media
    • Film & Television
    • Journalism
    • Media Science
    • Public Relations
    • Cross Program
  • Student Life
    • Overview
    • Student Media & Activities
    • Beyond Boston
    • On Campus
    • Undergraduate Advising
    • Graduate Advising
  • Career
    • Overview
    • Success Stories
    • Internships
    • Career Services
  • Research
    • Overview
    • Publications
    • Research Faculty
    • Communication Research Center
    • Center for Media Innovation & Social Impact
  • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Overview
    • Tuition & Aid
    • Admitted Terrier Day
    • Student Ambassadors
    • Request Information
    • Transferring to COM
    • Your First Year
    • Visit
    • Apply
    • Admitted Students
  • Graduate Admissions
    • Overview
    • Tuition, Scholarships & Aid
    • Application Instructions
    • International Applicants
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Request Information
    • Visit
    • Apply
  • About COM
    • Overview
    • Dean’s Office
    • Contact Us
    • Faculty Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Events
    • Honors
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Resources For
    • Students: Writing
    • Students: Technology
    • Students: More Resources
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Press
Woman giving address from lectern.
  • Give
  • Contact
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Home
  • Research

Social media use, brand engagement, and tobacco product initiation among youth: Evidence from a prospective cohort study

Traci Hong
Traci Hong
Published on March 11, 2024
Topics:
  • Social Media
  • Tobacco Initiation
  • Youth

Longitudinal research on social media use and social media-based tobacco exposures remains limited. In this prospective cohort study, youth with no prior tobacco use who reported using social media daily were 67 % more likely to report any tobacco initiation approximately 1 year later. Results for engagement with brands and polytobacco initiation were directionally similar. Youth social media use and engagement with tobacco brands on these platforms may increase the risk of tobacco initiation.

Publication: Addictive Behaviors

Co-authors: Jiaxi Wu, Boston University SPH, Chobanioan & Avedisian School of Medicine, American Heart Association, Vanderbilt University, University of Pennsylvania

Read More

Related Research

More Research

How effective are national tobacco prevention and cessation campaigns in reaching…

The study concludes that while national tobacco prevention and cessation campaigns are effectively reaching youth at high risk for tobacco…

Social Media Tobacco Youth
April 8, 2026

Systematic review of eye-tracking experiments evaluating tobacco health warning labels

This systematic review examines eye-tracking experiments evaluating the effects of tobacco health warning labels (HWLs) on visual attention. We focus…

Eye Tracking Health Warning Labels
December 30, 2025

Public Support for Warning Label Policies on Social Media Among U.S.…

Introduction: Health warning labels are used across several regulatory spaces to warn consumers about potentially harmful products. The study aimed…

Health Communication Social Media
October 1, 2025
Boston University College of Communication

Get news and invites:

  • Programs
  • Admissions
  • Research
  • Student Life
  • About COM
  • News
  • Events
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Tiktok
Information For
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Parents
  • Employers
  • Press
  • Boston University
  • Contact COM
  • COM SharePoint
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Statement
  • DMCA
© 2026 Boston University. All rights reserved. www.bu.edu