Study: 75% of U.S. Teens Use E-Cigarettes for Nicotine, Cannabis, or More

On December 18, reports emerged from foreign media that a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that the number of substances used by teenagers who vape has increased compared to previous years. The data paints a different picture than earlier studies, as the proportion of teenagers vaping nicotine, cannabis, or multiple substances (not just flavors) is significantly higher (75%). These findings heighten public concern about youth smoking.

The study analyzed data from the 2017 Monitoring the Future (MTF) cross-sectional study, examining patterns of nicotine, cannabis, and flavor vaping among young people over the past 30 days. Among the 14,560 teenagers who participated in the study, 12% reported vaping in the past 30 days, with 7.4% using nicotine and 3.6% using cannabis. In this group, only 24.9% reported using flavored e-liquids exclusively, while the majority (75.1%) reported using nicotine, cannabis, or multiple substances.

Current smoking intensity is associated with an increased risk of reporting use of all three substances. Compared to 8th graders, more 10th and 12th graders reported using nicotine, cannabis, and flavors during the study period. Female students were also less likely than male students to report using these three substances. Fewer non-Hispanic Black students reported using nicotine and flavors compared to non-Hispanic White students. Hispanic Americans were also less likely to report nicotine use.

From 2017 to 2019, the rate of e-cigarette use among American youth surged, partly due to the rising popularity of nicotine salt products and pod-based devices (like JUUL), along with a plethora of flavors appealing to teenagers. The nationwide increase in use prompted the U.S. Surgeon General to issue an advisory on the epidemic in 2018, but more work is needed to reverse this upward trend.

In light of a recent series of vaping-related lung injuries, calls for restrictions on flavored vaping products and e-cigarette use have become more urgent. Identifying the substances that youth are using is crucial for developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive strategies and interventions to curb youth use of these products.

Dr. Mohammad Siahpush, a joint researcher at the College of Public Health, added: "There is a need for ongoing monitoring of youth behavior and strategies and interventions to reduce adolescent e-cigarette use. The fact is, no form of tobacco is safe."