UQ study finds YouTube videos depict cannabis vaping as ‘fun’ and easy for kids to access

Video footage of cannabis vaping kids has been slammed as Australians don’t want such graphic content online.

Exclusive: YouTube videos which depict cannabis vaping as “fun and joyful” are easily accessible to young people, a university study has found.

The study, conducted by University of Queensland, found 52 per cent of videos analysed had no age access restrictions as they showed risk-taking behaviour including vaping a whole cartridge of THC – the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Their research paper, Content analysis of cannabis vaping videos on YouTube, published in the global journal Addiction, looked at videos on YouTube between 2016 and 2020 under themes including advertisement, product review, celebratory, reflective, how-to, and warning.

Metrics around the number of views, likes, dislikes, and comments for each video were recorded.

Co-lead author Dr Gary Chan from UQ’s National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research told News Corp many videos had no age restrictions, meaning children and adolescents could access them.

Many News Corp readers say they don’t want the content online.

A young boy seen using their vape with cannabis in one of the videos viewed by UQ researchers. Picture: Supplied/ YouTube.

“Only around 25 per cent of cannabis vaping-related videos communicate the potential harms of cannabis vaping,” Dr Chan said.

“The videos with a ‘how-to’ theme were viewed more than five million times and videos with a ‘celebratory’ theme, expressing the fun and joy of cannabis vaping, were viewed more than seven million times.”

Dr Chan said he thought the age restriction on these videos should be 21.

“I would be advocating for an age restriction, but an effective age restriction,” he said.

Not all age restrictions are effective, because anyone can claim they are 18 [for example].”

“Parliamentary committees have looked at age restrictions to pornography and gambling but not much attention has been on YouTube which is one of the largest online media.

“So this is very surprising, there’s videos that show cannabis vaping as fun and joyful and there’s videos that show you how to do it.”

A young woman seen using a vape on another video viewed by the UQ researches. Picture: Supplied/ YouTube.

Dr Chan said these types of products are usually more potent that traditional herbal cannabis.

“It can be up to 20 or 30 times more potent … it can be more potentially harmful,’ he said.

“Cannabis vaping seems to be more popular among young people, because of the novelty around the device, it’s also less obvious if they are taking cannabis.”

The researchers hope the study results are used to help mandate age restrictions on videos promoting cannabis use.

In Australia, it is legal to vape and you can get liquid over the counter. However, none of the e-liquids sold in Australia contain nicotine – which is illegal here. E-liquids containing nicotine can be bought from overseas.

From October 1, consumers importing nicotine will require a doctor’s prescription to legally access nicotine e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine.

Child resistant closures for liquid nicotine will also be mandatory.

Mandy Weidmann (middle) with her partner Luc Klein and Britt Klein (far left) and Adam Stevens, Erica Stevens, Jaap Klein, and Josie Stevens (middle to far right). Picture: Supplied

Queensland mother Mandy Weidmann told News Corp she would support age restrictions for content like cannabis vaping videos on YouTube for her children.

“Since the TikTok suicide video happened I have taken more of an interest in what my kids are looking at online, as it concerns me,” she said.

“They do use YouTube and they haven’t come across this content yet but they can go down the rabbit hole, like anyone they look at suggested links and go exploring.

“This type of content, it might be interesting and funny, but it shouldn’t be as there are deeper ramifications they are not ready for.”

News Corp has contacted YouTube for comment.

Originally published as UQ study finds YouTube videos depict cannabis vaping as ‘fun’ and easy for kids to access