Social media nicotine markets: Criminogenic affordances and market displacements

Illicit nicotine vape markets are available on every social media platform. They mimic the structures of illicit drug markets, and share to a degree the same online spaces as algorithms push users from one site to the next. Platform algorithms, coupled with features like enhanced user reach and anonymity, create an environment that seller sperceive as low-risk and highly profitable. The combination of these factors is ultimately very damaging for those buying and consuming the products, who are for the most part young people. Efforts must also address the unintended negative consequences of current regulations.