This new policy is an extension of a policy that’s already in place that prohibits the sale of tobacco and alcohol products in Facebook Marketplace but this is the first time Facebook has made moves to extend its ban to organic content, typically generated by private users and not just businesses. Facebook, and several other social media platforms, already prohibits any tobacco-related content from being promoted on its platform, and on Instagram, through paid advertising. Facebook has said that it will “use a combination of technology, human review and reports from our community to find and remove any content that violates these policies.”
The policy also targets social media influencers, who are often used by companies to help promote a product through some sort of payment or barter through their personal accounts. Under the new policy, influencers that are paid to promote products that contain nicotine will still be allowed to post content that relates to tobacco and vapor products–for now. These posts will not have to be age restricted but Facebook is looking at updating its influencer policy and is working with industry and regulatory bodies on potential revisions.
