Vape 'n Play: A Dangerous Trend or Smoke in the Wind?
Hello friends,
It’s episode #76 of Gaming Science—your weekly update on the latest in gaming and esports science. In this episode, I’ll touch on a new trend that combines video games and vaping.
• The United States FDA has issued warnings to companies selling vaping products that look like toys, as they may attract youth to nicotine use.
• Some companies have started producing vaping devices that are fully functional video games.
• This raises public health concerns as both nicotine and video games are addictive.
• Vaping may increase for those who already vape but also incentivize gamers to start.
🚬Vape 'n Play
The FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) and other agencies have issued warnings to companies, urging them to stop selling vaping products that look like toys. The concern is that these products could attract young adults and kids, leading to nicotine use.
"Now, the vaping industry has gone a step further, producing vaping devices that are fully functional video games [1]."
As shown in the figure below, vaping devices now include features such as a fighter jet shooter game, a Pac-Man-type game, and a Tetris-style puzzle. Some devices even feature online casino games, virtual pets that users can feed with food earned by vaping, and puff-count competitions.
This process, called "gamification" (using game elements to incentivize behaviors), has entered the smoking/vaping industry. For example, puff counts encourage users to take more puffs, as earning more points allows them to compete with friends. This potentially leads to higher nicotine consumption, ultimately increasing nicotine dependence. This raises public health concerns.
"Vaping nicotine and computer gaming are two behavioral addictions that have become prevalent among adolescents in recent decades... [1]."
The combination of video gaming and vaping potentially adds another layer of reinforcement to the vaping experience. The satisfaction of vaping (nicotine) is now accompanied by the satisfaction of winning a game or competing against friends.
🤔 What can We Learn from It?
In recent years, gaming and vaping numbers have increased tremendously. Therefore, it makes sense for companies to combine these two addictive elements to boost their revenue. This strategy not only generates short-term profits but also raises another generation potentially addicted to nicotine (through smoking or vaping).
People who already smoke or vape may be incentivized to do it even more. At the same time, gaming enthusiasts may start smoking or vaping because of these devices. This could become a significant trend, especially because these vapes are expensive, leaving users worse off financially.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you all have a great week. Cheers,
Christian 🙂
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