For many years, the famous Youtube video hosting website has been a cornerstone in the development of vaping. Yet the love affair seems to darken day by day and the many existing "reviewers" are looking for new networks to continue to showcase their vaping products.
FROM AMATEURS TO INFLUENCERS, FROM HOPE TO DISILLUSION!
From a passionate universe, vaping has become in a few years a flourishing business. The famous "reviewers" of yesterday who did it for fun have been replaced by people wishing to become "influencers" while collecting significant sums in the process. Problem, in Europe, the transposition of the Tobacco Directive (TPD) not allowed " propaganda or advertising, direct or indirect, on vaping products"
The entity providing the Service for " Youtube »In the European Economic Area (EEA) being Google Ireland Limited, an Irish company registered in Ireland (under number 368047), it is theoretically no longer legal to offer content dealing with vaping products. (See terms and conditions of 22 July 2019). Youtube also specifies that it is not authorized to use the Service to sell advertising, sponsorship or promotional content in or on the Service or the Content, except in the cases authorized by the provisions described in the rules relating to YouTube Advertising . Without surprise, " advertising for the promotion of tobacco or related products is prohibited "
And the new Youtube policy now seems to affect many contributors specializing in vaping. Many channels are no longer eligible for the ad program and more and more are being deleted altogether. According to more or less reliable data from the site Socialblade.com, the most consulted French vape Youtube channel previously obtained from 150 € to 2000 € per month.
No wonder then that in recent weeks, many French and European "reviewers" have sought refuge on other platforms and are trying to collect money through jackpots, the goal being to replace any advertising gains that Youtube could pay or to make some money by taking advantage of the generosity of a few spectators.
INFLUENTIERS ACCUSED OF PUSHING YOUNG PEOPLE TO VAPOTAGE!
Researchers at Yale, the prestigious American university, have looked into "vape" phenomenon by analyzing some sixty videos. According to them, they usually stage teenagers who have
18 and 24 years. But the most surprising is the important role played by professionals in the production of these: half of these contents are sponsored by a brand or an e-cigarette store.
For some specialists, it is " a sneaky way to advertise in youth without seeming ". An American study published in Journal of Adolescent Health also maintains that most young people start vaping in order to be able to do "Vape Tricks" as in the videos.
Asked by Mashable, a door-door of YouTube ensures that the platform rsystematically throws out all forms of advertising that directly or indirectly. " Tobacco marketing can operate through very subtle forms ", remind us Grace kongwho led this research. In addition, influencers are not required to reveal their potential partnerships, the streaming giant does not act if the video is reported by a third party.
It seems that the love affair between vaping and Youtube is about to end.
