Vaping among high school students drops to 10%, survey shows

Vaping among high school students has dropped to 10%, according to a new survey by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey, which was conducted in 2023, shows a decrease in e-cigarette use among teens in the past 30 days, compared to 14% in 2022 and 25% in 2019. The survey also shows a decline in daily vaping, from 6.1% in 2019 to 3.6% in 2023.

The survey, which is part of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), is an annual, school-based survey that collects information on tobacco use and related behaviors among middle and high school students in the United States. The survey, which was administered to more than 20,000 students in grades 6-12, also collects data on the types, brands, flavors, and sources of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products used by the students.

The survey attributes the decline in vaping to several factors, including public health campaigns and regulatory actions

The survey attributes the decline in vaping to several factors, including public health campaigns and regulatory actions that have raised awareness and reduced access to e-cigarettes and other tobacco products among teens. Some of the factors that may have contributed to the decline are:

• The outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), which occurred in 2019 and 2020, and which caused more than 2,800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths, mostly among young adults and teens. The outbreak, which was linked to the use of illicit THC-containing vapes, raised public concern and awareness about the potential harms of vaping.
• The implementation of the Tobacco 21 law, which raised the federal minimum age of sale for tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21, in December 2019. The law, which was enforced by the FDA, aimed to prevent youth access and initiation to tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes.
• The enforcement of the premarket authorization requirement for e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, which took effect in September 2020. The requirement, which was mandated by the FDA, required all tobacco products that were on the market as of August 2016 to submit applications for marketing authorization, or to be removed from the market. The requirement, which was intended to ensure the safety and quality of tobacco products, resulted in the removal of many unauthorized and non-compliant products, especially flavored ones, from the market.
• The launch of public education campaigns and initiatives, such as The Real Cost, which is a national campaign by the FDA that aims to educate teens about the dangers of tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. The campaign, which features online, social media, and TV ads, as well as school and community outreach, targets teens who are at risk of or already using e-cigarettes, and provides them with information and resources to help them quit or prevent them from starting.
• The increase in state and local policies and regulations, such as bans or restrictions on the sale or use of flavored e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, which have been adopted by many states and municipalities in the past few years. These policies and regulations, which are supported by public health advocates and organizations, aim to reduce the appeal and availability of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, especially among youth, who are more likely to use flavored products.

The survey warns that vaping remains a public health threat, especially with the emergence of new products and variants

The survey warns that vaping remains a public health threat, especially with the emergence of new products and variants that may evade or undermine the existing policies and regulations. Some of the challenges and risks that may pose a threat to the progress made in reducing vaping among teens are:

• The popularity and availability of disposable e-cigarettes, which are single-use devices that come pre-filled with e-liquid and do not require charging or refilling. These devices, which are often sold in convenience stores and online, are cheaper and more discreet than reusable devices, and come in a variety of flavors and nicotine strengths. The survey found that disposable e-cigarettes were the most commonly used product among high school students who vaped in 2023, accounting for 26.5% of the market share, compared to 19.8% in 2022 and 2.4% in 2019.
• The emergence and spread of new variants of the coronavirus, which may cause more severe and contagious infections, especially among unvaccinated and vulnerable populations. The survey found that vaping may increase the risk of COVID-19 infection and complications, as e-cigarettes can damage the lungs and the immune system, and can facilitate the transmission of the virus through aerosols and shared devices. The survey also found that COVID-19 may deter some teens from vaping, as 40% of high school students who vaped reported that they reduced or quit vaping due to COVID-19 concerns.
• The persistence and influence of social and environmental factors, such as peer pressure, stress, anxiety, boredom, curiosity, or rebellion, that may motivate or encourage teens to start or continue vaping. The survey found that these factors, along with the availability and accessibility of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, were the main reasons why teens vaped in 2023. The survey also found that some teens may perceive vaping as less harmful or addictive than smoking, or as a way to quit or reduce smoking.

The survey concludes that vaping among high school students remains a significant public health problem, and that more efforts and actions are needed to prevent and reduce vaping among teens, and to protect them from the potential harms and consequences of vaping.