Vippa, Puff and Poffertjes: they are all search terms that minors use on Snapchat to buy electronic cigarettes. Measures from the platform do not seem to work. Doctors raise the alarm and demand that market watchdog will maintain ACM.
Especially the forbidden flavorful feet are wanted. Snapchat uses street language to buy it. Enter ‘Shabba’ or ‘Puff’ as a thirteen -year -old and you will see many dealers. Also simply the word bek yields many vapedealers, according to a sample of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
Adults do not see the same when they type the same terms. Algorithms and friends networks ensure that they encounter far fewer dealers than minors, Danielle Cohen tells NU.nl. She is a pathologist at the LUMC and also contributes to the research.
Cohen and other pulmonologists in the Netherlands saw at least fourteen minors last year with, among other things, lung bleeding by Vapen. Four of them got into a coma. Despite major consequences of this ‘vape epidemic’, Vapes are extremely popular: one in seven young people aged twelve to sixteen years old.
According to the doctors, Snapchat contributes to this and the platform facilitates the illegal sale of Vapes. Hospitals and Stichting Rook Prevention Youth therefore demanded that Snap (the company behind Snapchat) would take measures. That happened, but it appears insufficient.
Younger finds on average more than fifty dealers on Snapchat
The first sample showed that young people aged twelve to sixteen could find an average of 55 dealers. For example, the term ‘Gerroes’ yielded more than seven dealers and ‘Vippa’ and ‘butt’ more than five.
Snapchat took measures on 8 August. It is not clear what it consists of. The company did not want to share the letter that SNAP has sent to the doctors about this with NU.nl if requested. According to the doctors, improvements have been implemented in, among other things, street language and emoji detection and parental supervision.
In the second sample round, after the measures taken, young people even found 56 dealers on average. Although the terms Gerroes and Vippa yielded fewer results, for example, the number of dealers found at the word bek rose. Cohen concludes, among other things, that the measures taken are not enough. “Even accounts with names such as ‘cigarette trade’ and ‘Deliveryvape’ are not intercepted.”
NVWA also sees ‘hundreds of messages’
Although the researchers draw their conclusions based on a panel with only fifteen young people, the image is in line with stories of pulmonologists and reports in which children themselves tell themselves that they know their dealers through Snapchat.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) also sees “hundreds of messages in which forbidden Vapes are offered” on social media, including Snapchat. “We insist to proactively exclude or delete these messages ourselves,” says a spokesperson.
According to the doctors, that policy is insufficiently used. They have therefore now submitted a request for enforcement to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM). With this they hope that the watchdog intervenes by imposing binding measures or fines.
“We share the dedication to protect young people,” says a spokesperson for Snap. The company says it has made “big investments” to “stop malicious parties”. But according to the sample, they did not lead to improvement.
Snapchat does not protect young people
According to the Digital Services Act (DSA), Snapchat is obliged to take “appropriate” measures to protect minors. In addition, Snap itself states that “illegal activities, including the sale of Vapes, are strictly prohibited on Snapchat”.
The DSA states that a “high level of protection” is needed if your platform is accessible to children and that the availability of tobacco, among other things, is “a high risk”, explains Laura van Gijn’s doctors. “Snapchat does not meet the law.”
Snap states that the DSA is not being violated and the platform takes “reasonable, proportional and effective measures”. The platform does not give openness about the effectiveness of the measures, not even to the doctors.
According to Snap, not every threat can be removed, but according to Cohen there is indeed more possible. “If we can ask search terms with young people, you can do that too.” They can also delete dealer accounts and block IP addresses, so that no new accounts can be created. That is stated in the conditions of Snap and, according to Van Gijn, is also mandatory according to the DSA. “That way there would be much fewer dealers active.”
Vippa, Puff and Poffertjes: these are all search terms that minors use on snapchat to buy electronic cigarettes. Measures by the platform do not seem to be working. Doctors Are Raising the Alarm and Demanding That Market Watchdog ACM Enforce.
The Forbidden Flavored Vapes are Especially Popular. Street Language is Used on Snapchat to Buy Them. If you enter ‘shabba’ or ‘puff’ as a thirteen-year-hold, you will see many dealers. Simply the Word ‘butt’ (Cigarette) Also Yields Many Vape Dealers, Accordance to a sample by the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
Adults do not see the same thing when they type in the same terms. Algorithms and Friend Networks Ensure That They Encounter Far Feer Dealers than Minors, Danielle Cohen Tells Nu.nl. She is a pathologist at the lumc and also contributions to the research.
Cohen and other pulmonologists in The Netherlands Saw at Least Fourteen Minors with, Among Other Things, Lung Bleing Due to Vaping Last Year. Four of Them Went Into A Coma. Despite the major consequences of this ‘vape epidemic’, vapes are extremely popular: one in seven young people aged twelve to sixteen vape monthly.
Accordance to Doctors, Snapchat Contributes to this and the platform Facilitates The Illegal Sale of Vapes. Hospitals and the Youth Smoking Prevention Foundation Therefore Demanded in June That Snap (The Company Behind Snapchat) Take Measures. That has happened, but it appears insufficient.
Young Person Finds An Average or About Fifty Dealers On Snapchat
The first sample showed that young people aged twelve to sixteen could find an furage or 55 dealers. The term ‘Gerroes’, for Example, Yielded More than Seven Dealers, and ‘Vippa’ and ‘Peuk’ Around Five.
Snapchat took Measures on August 8. It is not clear what these consist or. The company did not want to share the letter that snap sent to the doctors with nu.nl when asked. Accordance to the Doctors, Improvements Have Been Made in, Among Other Things, Street Language and EMOJI Detection and Parental Supervision.
In The Second Round of Sampling, After the Measures Tasks, Young People Found An Average of 56 dealers. Althegh the Terms ‘Gerroes’ and ‘Vippa’ Yielded Fewer Results, the Number of Dealers Found for the Word ‘butt’, for example. Cohen concludes from this, among other things, that the measures tasks are not enough. “Even accounts with names such as” cigarette trade “and” deliveryvape “are not intercepted.”
NVWA also sees ‘hundreds of messages’
Althegh the Researchers Draw Their Conclusions Based on a Panel of Only Fifteen Young People, The Picture is consistent with Stories from Pulmonologists and Reports in which Children They Know Their Dealers via Snapchat.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) also sees “Hundreds of Messages in which Prohibited Vapes are offered” on Social Media, Including Snapchat. “We urge you to proactively reject or remove these messages yourself,” Says a Spokesperson.
Accordance to the Doctors, this policy is not bee used sufficiently. They have therefore now submitted an enforcement request to the authority for consumers & markets (ACM). They hope that the watchdog will intervene by imposing binding Measures or fines.
“We share the commitment to protect young people,” Says a Snap Spokesperson. The Company Says It Has Made “Major Investments” To “Stop Malicious Actors.” But accordance to the sample, thesis did not lead to improvement.
Snapchat does not adequately protect Young People
Accordance to the Digital Services Act (DSA), Snapchat is Obliged to Take “Appropriat” Measures to Protect Minors. In Addition, Snap Itelf States in its Terms and Conditions That “Illegal Activities, Including the Sale of Vapes, Are Strictly Prohibited on Snapchat.”
The DSA States That A “High Level of Protection” is requested if your platform is accessible to children and that the availability of, among other things, tobacco “poses a high risk,” explains lawyer for the doctors laura van gijn. “Snapchat is Therefore not complying with the law.”
Snap States That the DSA is not bee violated and the Platform Takes “Reasonable, Proportionate and Effective Measures.” The Platform Does Not Provide Transparency About the Effectiveness of the Measures, Not Even To The Doctors.
Accordance to snap, not every threat can be eliminated, but accordance to cohen, More is definitely Possible. “If we can ask young people about search terms, snap can too.” They can also delete dealer accounts and block ip addresses so that no new accounts can be created. This is Stated in Snap’s Terms and Conditions and is also mandatory under the dsa, accordance to van gijn. “In this way, there would be far feer dealers active.”