Cannabis: the new tobacco ?

<bold>Aim:</bold> Electric nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and cannabis are not licenced in Turkey thus the sales of these products are illegal. However the promotion of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing products are made on social media. The aim of this study is to investigate the marketing of these illegal products through social media. <bold>Methods:</bold> This study was carried out in 2023 by web search of the terms “CBD e-liquid and oil” in Turkish language using Google Dork. E-commerce cites and social platforms promoting and marketing these products were further investigated. <bold>Results:</bold> Four major e-commerce cites established between 2016-2022 were found to market CBD products since 2022 through 55 links. Three of these cites had domains outside Turkey. Eight cites marketed CBD containing 300 products including 134 various vape pens, 23 various puff bars and e-liquids content ranging beetwen 250- 10000 mg. In addition to CBD series fruit flavoured Kush branded products were marketed. Kush is the generic name given to a family of indica-dominant hybrid cannabis ,indicating to its THC contend. 59 blogs , 15 Youtube video and 24 news articles were found to recommend the use of these products. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> In spite of the sales ban, ENDS with CBD and THC are openly marketed in Turkey. Nicotine industry seems to be promoting cannabis as the replacement of tobacco. Tobacco control community needs to widen the scope of research and advocacy.