An empirical analysis on communications about Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in Chinese social media

Kainan Cui, Xiaolong Zheng, Daniel Zeng, Scott Leischow

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

China, with a smoking population of over 350 million, is the largest potential market for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The importance of understanding how ENDS are promoted and discussed in China cannot be overstated. However, related research is sparse. This study aims to explore the nature and extent of discussions around ENDS in Chinese social media, which have the power to influence a massive audience. We collected the data from Sina Weibo, which is one of the most popular Chinese microblogging sites. The dataset, which consisted of 999 messages, was analyzed in terms of polarities, genres and discussion topics. Statistical test and regression analysis were used to explore whether those features of messages will affect the message popularity, which was measured by repost number and comment number. The results of our study showed that 1) The majority of the messages were Pro-ENDS; 2) The number of comments received by messages of different genes varies significantly; 3) Whether a message contains specific topics or not will affect the comment number.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSmart Health - International Conference, ICSH 2014, Proceedings
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages37-43
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9783319084152
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2014
Event2nd International Conference for Smart Health, CSH 2014 - Beijing, China
Duration: Jul 10 2014 → Jul 11 2014

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume8549 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Other

Other2nd International Conference for Smart Health, CSH 2014
CountryChina
CityBeijing
Period7/10/14 → 7/11/14

Keywords

  • Electronic nicotine delivery devices
  • advertising and Promotion
  • micro-blogging systems
  • public opinion
  • social media

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • Computer Science(all)

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    Cui, K., Zheng, X., Zeng, D., & Leischow, S. (2014). An empirical analysis on communications about Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in Chinese social media. In Smart Health - International Conference, ICSH 2014, Proceedings (pp. 37-43). (Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics); Vol. 8549 LNCS). Springer Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08416-9_4