A content analysis of e-cigarettes selling propositions on South African retail websites

Electronic cigarettes remain unregulated in South Africa, yet their marketing and sale is proliferating on online platforms such as websites. Until now, little was known regarding the nature of selling propositions used on such platforms. Against this background, this study provides the findings of a content analysis of 17 websites dedicated to the marketing and selling of electronic cigarettes in South Africa. With the aid of a website search research methodology, a detailed search and analysis of websites marketing electronic cigarettes in South Africa was performed from July to October 2017. The study identified smoking cessation, environmental friendliness, healthiness, cost-effectiveness, hedonic value, convenience and safety as the main selling propositions used to market electronic cigarettes in South Africa. The study provides important insights to consumers who intend to use electronic cigarettes and policymakers who intend to monitor and regulate the consumption of electronic cigarettes in South Africa.