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Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes or electronic vapor products (EVPs), have surged in popularity, especially among teenagers, despite growing concerns about their health implications. A recent study conducted by researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine sheds light on the alarming trend of teen vaping and its potential consequences.
The study, which utilized data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey spanning from 2015 to 2021 and encompassing 57,006 participants from ninth to 12th grade, revealed a significant and troubling rise in daily usage of electronic vapor products among adolescents.
In 2015, a mere 2% of teenagers reported daily use of EVPs. However, by 2019, this figure skyrocketed to 7.2%, representing more than a threefold increase within just a few years. Although there was a slight decline to 5% in 2021, potentially influenced by COVID-19-related lockdowns and remote schooling, the numbers remain alarmingly high.
Moreover, the study uncovered intriguing shifts in demographic patterns of vaping. Initially, in 2015, more boys were using EVPs compared to girls. However, by 2021, this trend had reversed, with a higher percentage of girls vaping compared to boys. Additionally, usage rates among different racial groups varied, with white teens exhibiting the highest increase in vaping rates.
Dr. Charles H. Hennekens, the lead author of the study, underscored the severe implications of vaping on adolescent health. “EVP use increases risks of nicotine addiction, drug-seeking behavior, mood disorders, and long-term risks of avoidable premature morbidities and mortality,” he cautioned.
Dr. Panagiota “Yiota” Kitsantas, another researcher involved in the study, emphasized the addictive nature of nicotine present in nearly all e-cigarettes in the U.S. “EVP use is not a safer alternative to smoking but may have contributed to the decline in regular tobacco product use. However, it also introduces new health risks, including nicotine addiction,” she noted.
The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the rising vaping rates among adolescents. The researchers propose mass media campaigns and peer interventions to challenge the social norms that promote such risky behaviors. Additionally, they advocate for clinical interventions, including routine screening for vaping and nicotine dependence during adolescent health assessments, as well as counseling and tailored cessation programs.
While traditional cigarette smoking among U.S. teens has declined, the proliferation of electronic vapor products presents new challenges to public health. These findings emphasize the importance of continued research and proactive measures to safeguard young individuals from the allure and dangers of vaping.
The study was published in the Ochsner Journal, adding to the growing body of research on the subject.
