Twitter Sentiment About the US Federal Tobacco 21 Law: Mixed Methods Analysis
Page D Dobbs1, Allison Ames Boykin2, Nnamdi Ezike2
1Health, Human Performance and Recreation Department, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States.
JMIR Formative Research
|August 31, 2023
Summary
Public sentiment on Twitter regarding the Tobacco 21 law was predominantly neutral or anti-policy, with discussions peaking around legislative events. Understanding these themes and timing is crucial for public health promotion and enforcement strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Social Media Analysis
- Tobacco Control Policy
Background:
- The US federal Tobacco 21 law raised the minimum legal sales age for tobacco products to 21.
- Previous research indicated misinformation and varied sentiment regarding the law on Twitter.
- Underlying themes and temporal trends of sentiment pre-enactment were unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze public sentiment (pro-, anti-, neutral) towards the Tobacco 21 law on Twitter.
- To examine volume patterns and temporal trends of Twitter discussions preceding the law's enactment.
Main Methods:
- Collected and analyzed tweets related to Tobacco 21 from September to December 2019.
- Used thematic analysis on a subsample of tweets to identify sentiment and emergent themes.
- Examined tweet volume trends and qualitative discussions during peak activity periods.
Main Results:
- Neutral policy sentiment (46.2%) and anti-policy sentiment (38.8%) were most prevalent on Twitter.
- Key themes included news reports, political discussions, youth addiction concerns, and law evasion methods.
- Four significant spikes in tweet volume correlated with political speeches and legislative actions.
Conclusions:
- Public health professionals can leverage insights into Twitter sentiment and activity timing to enhance health promotion.
- Understanding public discourse aids in optimizing community readiness and addressing enforcement needs, including retailer and public education.
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