Role of Social Media in Alcohol and Tobacco Reduction Interventions

Dear Colleagues,

The detrimental effects of alcohol and tobacco use on global health are undeniable. Tobacco remains one of the most significant public health threats globally, causing an alarming toll on human life. According to the World Health Organization (2022), it is estimated that half of those who use tobacco and do not quit will eventually succumb to tobacco-related illnesses, which claim more than 8 million lives annually. Among these, approximately 1.3 million are non-smokers who fall victim to the detrimental effects of second-hand smoke, highlighting the pervasive and indirect risks associated with tobacco exposure. Furthermore, the impact of tobacco use is disproportionately felt in low- and middle-income countries, where around 80% of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users reside. The prevalence of tobacco use in these regions exacerbates existing health disparities, straining limited healthcare resources and undermining efforts to improve public health outcomes. This situation calls for urgent and comprehensive global health strategies aimed at tobacco control, particularly in those countries that are least equipped to handle the ensuing health crises. Despite significant public health efforts, the prevalence of tobacco use remains high, highlighting the need for innovative approaches.

Similarly, according to the World Health Organization (2023), alcohol's harmful use is linked to over 200 health conditions, ranging from liver diseases to various forms of cancer and cardiovascular problems. This widespread impact is reflected in the staggering statistic that 3 million deaths annually, accounting for 5.3% of all global fatalities, are directly associated with alcohol misuse. This highlights the urgent need for public health initiatives focused on reducing alcohol consumption and its associated harms.

With its pervasive reach and potential for interactive engagement, social media and related marketing across social and digital platforms present a promising avenue for intervention. Understanding how social media can be harnessed to effectively reduce alcohol and tobacco use is crucial for improving public health outcomes.

Beyond the tragic human cost, the detrimental effects of alcohol and tobacco use impose a significant economic burden, costing governments and businesses billions globally. Understanding how social media can effectively influence consumer behaviour is key to reducing these harmful habits, and this call for papers welcomes diverse perspectives and methodologies that shed light on the potential and limitations of social media marketing campaigns. We encourage submissions that explore themes such as target population segmentation, message development, ethical considerations, and data-driven evaluation—crucial aspects for any successful business venture. By joining forces with scholars, public health professionals, and researchers across disciplines, this Special Issue aims to advance knowledge, inform responsible business practices, and contribute to a healthier future for all.

Given the disproportionate impact of alcohol and tobacco use on developing nations, this Special Issue of Healthcare aims to gather together and disseminate cutting-edge research on the role of social media in alcohol and tobacco reduction interventions in these regions as well as in developing nations.

Submissions should align with the journal's focus on healthcare advancements and contribute significantly to this developing field. We welcome diverse perspectives and methodologies that shed light on the potential and limitations of social media in curbing these harmful behaviours.

Original research and review articles are encouraged, addressing (though not limited to) themes such as:

• Applying specific social media marketing frameworks, theories, and approaches to the study of the impact of alcohol and tobacco reduction-related interventions.
• Emerging technologies, such as AI and digital, that are used in conjunction with social media, and/or to highlight new technologies and innovations within social media relevant to alcohol and tobacco reduction. For instance, the positive and negative role of e-cigarettes and vaping on social media in relation to alcohol and tobacco reduction.
• The design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions utilizing social media platforms to reduce alcohol and tobacco use.
• Identifying and understanding the specific mechanisms by which social media interventions influence behavioural change.
• The tailoring of interventions to specific demographics, communities, and risk groups, drawing upon social media technologies.
• Addressing privacy concerns, potential harms, and responsible use of social media for public health interventions concerning alcohol and tobacco reduction.
• Exploring the role of policy and regulation in promoting responsible use of social media for health intervention.
• Contrasting the effectiveness of different social media platforms and intervention approaches.

This Special Issue will contribute significantly to advancing knowledge and informing practice in this field and we invite scholars, public health professionals, and researchers actively involved in this domain to submit their innovative work.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

References
World Health Organization. (2022). Alcohol. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol
World Health Organization. (2023). Tobacco. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco

Dr. Wasim Ahmed
Prof. Dr. Mariann (Maz) Hardey
Dr. Ronnie Das
Dr. Su Golder
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• social media campaigns
• health promotion
• digital intervention
• public health messaging
• addiction recovery
• tobacco
• alcohol