Over 2.5 million middle schoolers in the U.S. are currently vaping, according to a recent study, highlighting the growing concern surrounding youth exposure to electronic nicotine devices .
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration analyzed data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted between January 18 and May 31. They found that 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students admitted to using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days . Among these vapers, 42.3% reported regular use, while 27.6% confirmed daily use .
"This study demonstrates that our nation's youth continue to be subjected to increasingly dangerous electronic devices that offer flavored nicotine," Deirdre Lawrence Kitner, Director of the CDC's Smoking and Health Office, stated in a press release . "Our work in this area is far from over." Collaboration is essential to prevent adolescents from starting tobacco product consumption, particularly e-cigarettes, and supporting those already engaged in tobacco use in cessation efforts .
The study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that "Puff Bar was the brand most frequently used by middle and high school students in the past 30 days (29.7%), followed by Vuse (23.6%), JUUL (22.0%), SMOK (13.5%), NJOY (8.3%), Hyde (7.3%), and Blu (6.5%)" .
The vast majority of present users opt for flavored products: 84.9% of respondents chose aroma-infused items . Fruits, mint, menthol, and candy flavors are popular options .
Brands like Puff Bar became subject to FDA regulations only in April of this year . Up until then, e-cigarette manufacturers, which usually produce synthetically derived nicotine, were not regulated in the same manner as companies that extract nicotine from tobacco.
The March state budget bill clarified that the FDA has the authority to regulate tobacco products containing nicotine derived from any source . This implies that manufacturers and retailers of "non-tobacco" nicotine will now have to comply with FDA regulations, ensuring that such products and/or free samples are not sold to individuals under the age of 21 .
Since 2014, e-cigarettes have remained the most commonly used tobacco product among American middle and high school students . "E-cigarettes typically contain highly addictive nicotine that can damage the still-developing brains of teenagers and increase the risk of future nicotine addiction and dependency on other drugs," researchers noted .
"The frequency of e-cigarette use among US youth remains at a concerning level and poses a serious public health threat to our nation's youth," said Brian King, Director of the Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA, in a press release . "The protection of our nation's youth from the harms of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, remains one of the FDA's highest priorities, and we are committed to working collaboratively with regulatory authorities to address this problem."
The research findings are based on data collected from the National Youth Tobacco Survey 2022, a self-reporting survey conducted among sixth through twelfth-grade students in the United States between January 18 and May 31 .
Attention must be given to changes in the survey methodology, such as alterations in the data administration and collection process due to the pandemic . Such modifications limit the ability to compare 2022 data to earlier years and may result in differences due to changes in behavior or both .
Naomi Thomas of CNN contributed to this report.
1. References:
"More than 2.5 million middle school students in the U.S. currently use e-cigarettes, study finds", CNN Health, March 24, 2023
"FDA acts to protect kids from e-cigarettes", U.S. Food and Drug Administration, February 5, 2023
"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Tobacco Products - Cigarettes, Cigars, Smokeless Tobacco, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Waterpipe Tobacco, Roll-Your-Own Tobacco (RYO), and Premium Cigars", Food and Drug Administration (FDA), September 30, 2016
"FAQ About the Effect of COVID-19 on Submissions to the Center for Tobacco Products", Food and Drug Administration (FDA), March 9, 2021
"The Effect of State Policies on Tobacco Use: What the Data Show - Evidence Report 297, External Review", Preventing Chronic Disease, September 27, 2018
