Smoking avatars and online games: how big tobacco targets young people in the metaverse
undefined 22, 2025
Tobacco and alcohol companies are using unregulated digital spaces like the metaverse to target young people, bypassing traditional advertising bans. A report from Vital Strategies’ Canary project highlights how brands are using NFTs, virtual events, and games to normalize smoking and vaping among teens. With over half of metaverse users under 13, experts warn of growing influence in these immersive platforms. Regulators are struggling to keep up as digital marketing reshapes how harmful products are promoted worldwide.
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