# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Tobacco product use among U.S. pre-teens and teens has fallen to the lowest levels seen in 25 years, according to new federal data published Thursday.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration analyzed data from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey to assess tobacco use among middle school and high school students in the U.S.

Between 2023 and 2024, current use of any tobacco product declined to 2.25 million students from 2.80 million.

The decline is largely driven by the drop in the number of students who reported current e-cigarette use: 2.13 million in 2023 compared to 1.63 million in 2024, the report found. Usage among high school students in particular dropped to 1.56 million from 1.21 million over the same period.

This not only marks a 25-year low but also the lowest level ever measured by the National Youth Tobacco Survey, according to the report.

In this undated stock photo, a teenager smokes a vape with classmates at school.

"Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an extraordinary milestone for public health," Dr. Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, said in a statement. "However, with more than 2 million youth using tobacco products and certain groups not experiencing declines in use, our mission is far from complete. We must remain committed to public health efforts to ensure all youth can live healthy, tobacco-free lives."

Although e-cigarettes remained the most commonly used tobacco product among adolescents in 2024, e-cigarette use among students declined to the lowest level seen in more than a decade.

Nicotine pouches were the second most commonly used tobacco product followed by cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco, respectively.

Despite the declines, the report found some disparities by race and ethnicity. Current use of any tobacco product rose among American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) students while current use of nicotine pouches increased among white students. This mirrors nationwide trends showing AI/AN adults have the highest rate of commercial tobacco use in the U.S. compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

"We're headed in the right direction when it comes to reducing tobacco product use among our nation's youth," Dr. Brian King, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, said in statement. "But we can't take our foot off the gas. Continued vigilance is needed to continue to reduce all forms of tobacco product use among youth.

"Addressing disparities remains an essential part of these efforts to ensure that we don't leave anyone behind," he added.

The report found that multiple factors have influenced the start and continued use of tobacco products among adolescents including the availability of flavors that appeal to pre-teens and teens as well as misperceptions of harm, such as the belief that certain tobacco products are not harmful.

Additionally, the report found the decline in tobacco product use is likely linked to several strategies that have been implemented across the U.S. including price increases, mass media campaigns to educate about the harmful effects of tobacco product and smoke-free policies.

"Given the negative health consequences of tobacco use and the unique harms associated with adolescent nicotine exposure, prevention of youth tobacco product use is crucial," the report's authors wrote.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tobacco product use among middle, high school students hits 25-year low: Report

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A new report published Thursday from the CDC and FDA found tobacco product use among middle and high school students in the U.S. has hit a 25-year low.

# data[].attributes.headline
Inform children of the dangers of E-cigs

# data[].attributes.subject
Inform children of the dangers of E-cigs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dangers of e-cigarettes, vaping and JUULs: How to talk to kids

# data[].attributes.headline
E-Cig Companies Are Selling Products With No Restrictions

# data[].attributes.subject
E-Cig Companies Are Selling Products With No Restrictions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Video E-cigarette purchases frequently bypass age and shipping laws, study shows

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
New JAMA study suggests the need for more effective enforcement of existing regulations to curb youth access to vaping products.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How savvy marketing made vaping into a youth sensation - The University of Auckland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Opinion: Pop-up stores, paid celebrities and influencers, music festivals, and collaborations with artists and designers are all employed to promote e-cigarettes, writes Marilyn Giroux.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
/ CBS News

Twenty-year-old Alex Morrin says an unexpected danger of vaping is it is easy to hide.

"You can do it in the same room as them," Morrin told CBS News of vaping around his parents.

"It vaporizes," Winna Morrin, Alex's mother, added. "So you don't see any smoke."

A new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Friday - based on 2021 data from a National Health Interview Survey - found that 11% of 18- to 24-year-olds define themselves as current e-cigarette users, more than any other age group of adults.

The report also found that White non-Hispanic Americans between 18 and 24 vape more than Latino, Asian or Black youth in the same age group.

Overall, the survey found that 4.5% of adults ages 18 and over vape. The survey defined current e-cigarette use as respondents who say they vape "every day" or "some days."

It's not just young adults who vape. About 14% of high schoolers do as well, according to an October 2022 survey conducted by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration.

Earlier this week, the American Heart Association reported that researchers are finding that e-cigarettes with nicotine are associated with increased blood pressure and heart rate, but more research is needed on the long-term effects. Some e-cigarettes may contain additional chemicals which may also be dangerous, the AMA said.

The need for more research on the topic was reiterated by Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, director of the Tobacco Treatment Clinic at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"The effects of vaping on kids and adolescents is an addiction that can come about from the chronic exposure to nicotine," Galiatsatos said.

Galiatsatos told CBS News that vaping may cause a wide range of severe outcomes, but admitted that "we don't know the long-term consequences of electronic cigarettes."

Complicating the issue is that while the FDA allows the marketing of tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, it has not authorized the other flavored products which have flooded the market.

Alex said his health issues started when he became addicted to e-cigarettes at 16.

"While I did it, I felt fine, but in between I would get nauseous," Alex said.

He also started experiencing seizures.

"I thought I was watching my son die," Winna said.

The Morrins believe that the key to stopping vaping is to do it together.

"We're a team, and he knows we've got his back," Winna said.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
centers for disease control and prevention

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
About 1 in 10 young adults are vaping regularly, CDC report finds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The report also found that White non-Hispanic Americans between 18 and 24 vape more than Latino, Asian or Black youth in the same age group.

# data[].attributes.headline
Vapes Are Being Made to Look Like Common Technology 

# data[].attributes.subject
Vapes Are Being Made to Look Like Common Technology 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
FDA Warns Firms Selling E-Cigs Resembling Products With Smart Tech

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Products have features that may appeal to youth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Top 8 Strategies Big Tobacco Uses to Addict Kids to E-Cigarettes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Despite the intervening pandemic, the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data paint a grim picture of youth vaping in the U.S. - kids continue to be lured by flavors and are becoming regular users.

# data[].attributes.headline
Smoking Among High School Students Declines

# data[].attributes.subject
Smoking Among High School Students Declines

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
E-cigarette and tobacco use among high school students declines, CDC study finds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Among middle schoolers, increases were seen in the use of tobacco products.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Photo by Getty Images

[Originally published: September 13, 2018. Updated: December 18, 2019.]

Several months ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised people to avoid e-cigarettes while federal and state officials investigate an ongoing nationwide outbreak of severe lung injuries associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

Even though the agency announced that vitamin E acetate (an ingredient added to some THC products) appears associated with this vaping-related illness, officials stressed that their findings remain inconclusive, and more than one chemical could be contributing to lung damage. With no single cause yet identified, the agency continues to double down on its cautionary advice.

"E-cigarette use is never safe for youth, young adults, or pregnant women," said CDC's Dana Meaney-Delman, MD, who is leading the agency's response to the outbreak, which emerged this past summer. The CDC further warns against using any vaping products that contain THC; buying devices from "informal sources, including friends and family" and modifying or adding substances to e-cigarettes. For adults using the devices to quit smoking, the advice is to "weigh all risks and benefits and consider using FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies."

Since that time, federal and state officials have reported thousands of cases and dozens of deaths related to a newly identified lung disease that the CDC has named EVALI (the acronym stands for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury).

Patients affected by the disease have symptoms ranging from cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath to fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever.

As part of their investigations, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state health officials have analyzed samples of vaping products that patients treated for EVALI have provided in order to find a possible culprit of the disease. Most of the products have contained THC (the high-inducing compound in marijuana), according to the FDA. Federal and state lab tests have also found vitamin E acetate and other oil compounds in vaping products.

Even if or when a potential cause is identified, Mitch Zeller, director of FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, cautioned that it will be only "one piece of the puzzle...and it makes all of our ongoing work that much more critical."

In the meantime, a study found that people who use only e-cigarettes increase their risk of developing lung disease by about 30% compared with nonusers. At the same time, the risk of being diagnosed with lung disease-which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-was highest among adults who smoke cigarettes and vape, according to the researchers, who tracked study participants over three years.

Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General's office began the work of awareness when the nation's doctor, Jerome Adams, MD, issued a warning that vaping among youth has reached epidemic levels.

The numbers are shocking. More than 5 million middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes, according to the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Study (NYTS), up from more than 3.6 million last year.

Another study this year found that the rates of youth who say they vaped with nicotine in the past month more than doubled in two years. About 11 percent of high school seniors reported this habit in 2017, compared to 25 percent, or one in four seniors, in 2019. Among eighth-graders, the numbers jumped from 3.5 percent to 9 percent. The worrying part? Young people think vaping is mostly harmless.

To understand vaping, it's best to start on broad terms. To vape is to inhale vapor created from a liquid heated up inside a device. From there, things quickly get complicated. The devices have many names-vape pens, pod mods, tanks, electronic nicotine delivery devices (ENDS), e-hookahs and e-cigarettes. The liquid they contain also has many monikers-it might be called e-juice, e-liquid, cartridges, pods, or oil. Most vape liquids contain a combination of propylene glycol or glycerol-also called glycerin-as a base, and nicotine, THC, or flavoring chemicals to produce common or outlandish flavors, from mint to "unicorn puke." The devices rely on batteries to power heating elements made of various materials that aerosolize the liquid.

What's more, the San Francisco-based company that sells Juuls offers vape liquid made from nicotine salts found in loose-leaf tobacco instead of the traditional free-base nicotine found in most e-cigarette liquid. This may allow the user to experience a higher-and more addictive-concentration of nicotine, according to an article in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Responding to a public outrage of the popularity of Juul's flavored vaping pods among youth, the company in November announced it would stop selling its mint-flavored pods, which made up about 70 percent of its sales, according to news reports. Before this, Juul had already halted sales of its other flavored pods, including crème brulee, mango, and cucumber, to retailers and online.

Juul also faces a lawsuit filed by a former senior executive employee who alleges that the company did not recall or warn consumers about 1 million potentially contaminated pods it released for sale.

Problems even before EVALI outbreak

Since e-cigarettes arrived in the U.S. in 2007, they have been investigated by addiction researchers as possible cessation devices for adults trying to quit combustible, or regular, cigarettes. The FDA lists 93 harmful or potentially harmful chemicals found in regular cigarettes, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) describes cigarettes as having more than 7,000 chemicals in them. Because e-cigarettes contain fewer chemicals the industry has presented them as a healthier alternative to regular cigarettes. But vape liquids can still contain nicotine, a highly addictive drug.

And on one point, Yale health researchers who study the health effects of vaping and e-cigarettes agree: Vape devices have not been proven to help adult smokers quit smoking. Moreover, vaping increases the risk a teen will smoke regular cigarettes later.

"The addiction to nicotine and later conversion to (or dual use with) regular cigarettes are the greatest concerns," says Roy S. Herbst, MD, Yale Medicine's chief of medical oncology at Yale Cancer Center. He points to two heavyweight organizations, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), that have issued statements that vaping could be harmful to youth. (Dr. Herbst chairs the AACR Tobacco & Cancer Subcommittee that led the development of the statement.)

The popularity of Juul is worrying to addiction researchers. Juuls arrived late to the e-cigarette market in 2015, about eight years after vaping devices first began appearing here. But the company, called Juul Labs, quickly surged ahead of competitors. Sleek and slim, with an appearance that mirrors a flash drive, Juul remains the vaping tool of choice among high school students, according to this year's NYTS data.

Teens even morphed the brand into a verb-juuling-according to widespread news coverage chronicling its rise. "When we ask teens about their vaping or e-cig habits, they don't even consider juuling to be part of that," says Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, PhD, co-leader of the Yale Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science, one of nine centers in the country currently funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the FDA to foster tobacco regulatory research.

Juul and other vape manufacturers, including Vuse, MarkTen XL, blu, and Logic, came under scrutiny by the FDA for marketing and sales practices that seemed aimed at teens and young adults, according to an announcement the FDA released in September 2018. At the time, the agency asked the companies to submit plans on how they planned to address widespread youth access and use of their products.

"We cannot allow a whole new generation to become addicted to nicotine," former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, said in the release.

While it's possible to buy liquid without nicotine for some e-cigarettes, it's not possible to do so with popular pod mod devices. According to Juul's website-in a description that has since been taken down-a single Juulpod contains 40 mg of nicotine, which is similar to "the nicotine yield of a pack of cigarettes." (The company also sells Juulpods with approximately 23 mg of nicotine.) But researchers explain that it's difficult to describe a single pod as a "serving." A person might consume one pod in a week, while another may take only one day.

A stubborn trend

When potentially risky behaviors experience an uptick in popularity, health researchers are never far behind-gathering data. A Yale study last year found that, among students at three Connecticut public schools, those who used e-cigarettes were more likely to smoke regular cigarettes in the future.

Krishnan-Sarin points to progress that has been made-finally-in recent years to reduce regular cigarette smoking rates among young adults. In her opinion, the significant decline is due to the success of large-scale public health campaigns and a general awareness among youth that cigarettes are harmful to health.

She is concerned that most teens who vape with nicotine don't know the drug can be damaging to their development. "We have a lot of evidence showing that the adolescent brain is extremely sensitive to the effects of nicotine," she says, adding that the brain doesn't stop growing until around age 25. "Studies have shown us that nicotine can interfere with memory and attention processing."

In his imaging studies of adults who use e-cigarettes, Stephen Baldassarri, MD, an internist at Yale Medicine, has begun to gather information on the factors that influence nicotine delivery from e-cigarettes and whether vaping promotes cessation from conventional cigarette smoking. Teens cannot participate in such studies, but "we all agree that e-cigs are not a good thing for youth and nonsmokers," Dr. Baldassarri says.

How to talk to your kids

Probably the worst thing a parent could do for their child would be to buy an e-cigarette under the misconception that this might prevent them from smoking regular cigarettes, Krishnan-Sarin says. She encourages parents to talk openly and freely about vaping-with the caveat that they provide accurate information. "I think the problem is that parents lose credibility if they say something to try and convince their child, who then finds out that it isn't true," she says.

"Parents should base their information on accurate facts and also encourage their children to read about and understand the science on this issue instead of relying on what their friends and peers tell them."

Dr. Baldassarri suggests explaining the addictive nature of vaping, which would mess with the one thing teens crave the most: independence. "In some ways, when you get addicted to a drug, it's like losing your freedom of choice," he says. "The risk of losing that freedom might be a persuasive message for kids."

Deepa Camenga, MD, a pediatrician who is board-certified in addiction medicine, says it's never too early to begin talking about e-cigarettes in age-appropriate language. "When you are out and about with your children and see an advertisement, for example, take the opportunity to talk about it," she says. As they grow older, parents can expand on their thoughts and expectations. "It's also important to give teens and young adults the space to ask questions," she says.

Patrick O'Connor, MD, Yale Medicine's chief of general internal medicine, who has dedicated his career to researching opioid and alcohol drug abuse, points to similarities between epidemic cigarette use in the 1940s and 50s, and e-cigarette use now.

Even as evidence accumulated on the link between lung cancer and cigarette use, doctors didn't always take time to talk to patients about those risks, he says. "I think it's a major responsibility of physicians, family medicine doctors, pediatricians, and adolescent medicine practitioners. One of the big deficits in medical education has been to prepare medical students to address these issues with their patients, ask them about their use of these substances, and advise them on the risks," Dr. O'Connor says. "This is as true for e-cigarette use and vaping as it is for alcohol and other drug use."

What may be the most important message of all is that e-cigarettes and vaping come with many health unknowns, Dr. O'Connor adds. "You see plumes of what looks like steam coming out of people's mouths on the street when they are vaping, and I think they assume it's mostly safe, mostly water. But these liquids used in vaping are filled with all kinds of stuff [like nicotine, marijuana, flavoring agents, chemicals], and we don't always know what else is in there," he says.

Surgeon General Adams echoed these concerns in his news conference following the release of his advisory: "Studies show that youth, like my son, have no clue what's in these products most of the time."

Months after the release of the advisory, Yale researchers found that byproducts, called acetals, form when flavoring agents mix with solvents in the liquid. It is not yet known if this has negative effects on the body, but Sven-Eric Jordt, PhD, one of the study's authors, says he hopes that the FDA will begin to study the short- and long-term effects of inhaled acetals.

But parents shouldn't wait for government regulations and monitoring to catch up with this disturbing trend, says Richard Martinello, MD, an infectious disease specialist who has treated EVALI patients.

"Kids are smart. They do make good decisions and while it may not seem like it at times, they do listen," Dr. Martinello says. "It's critical that they hear from parents and other loved ones about the dangers of vaping. They may not hear this from their friends."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Originally published: September 13, 2018. Updated: December 18, 2019.] Several months ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised people to avoid e-cigarettes while federal and state officials investigate an ongoing nationwide outbreak of severe lung injuries associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). It's common among teens.

By learning about vaping, parents can:

Talk to their kids about its health risks.

Recognize if their child might be vaping.

Get help for kids who are vaping.

How Does Vaping Work?

E-cigarettes (or "vape pens") heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor, which is inhaled. The liquid (called e-liquid or "vape juice") can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. E-cigarettes can be refillable or pre-filled with cartridges containing the e-liquid. The pre-filled e-cigarettes (called "Puff Bars") are designed for one-time use. After taking a certain number of "puffs," the user throws the device away.

What Are the Health Risks of Vaping?

The health risks of vaping include:

addiction: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that's highly addictive. You don't have to vape every day to get addicted.

anxiety and depression: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.

becoming a smoker: Young people who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future.

impotence: There is some evidence that vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men.

sleep problems

exposure to cancer-causing chemicals

chronic bronchitis

lung damage that can be life-threatening

Other health effects are possible that we don't yet know about. Vaping hasn't been around that long, so its health risks aren't all known.

How Do I Know if My Child Is Vaping?

Start by asking your child in a nonjudgmental, concerned way if they have tried vaping. You want to encourage conversation, not shut it down. Even if you don't think your kids vape, talk about it with them anyway so they know it's unhealthy.

Signs of vaping include:

new health issues such as coughing or wheezing

e-cigarette supplies, like cartridges or other suspicious looking items

new smells (some flavorings are banned, but others are in nicotine and marijuana vapes - so parents might notice fruity or sweet scents)

What Should I Do if My Child Vapes?

Your child will need your help and support to quit. Help them find the motivation to stop vaping. You might want to talk about:

wanting to be the best, healthiest version of themselves

not wanting to be addicted

avoiding health effects including impotence and decreased sports performance

not wanting to increase anxiety or depression

saving money

going against advertising that targets young people

Some people use vaping to curb their appetite, but there's no proof that vaping helps with weight loss. If you think this is why your child vapes, talk to them about healthier ways to stay at a healthy weight or lose weight.

How Can Kids and Teens Quit Vaping?

For those who want to quit, it can help to:

Decide why they want to quit and write it down or put it in their phone. They can look at the reason(s) when they feel the urge to vape.

Pick a day to stop vaping. They can put it on the calendar and tell supportive friends and family that they're quitting on that day.

For some people, chewing sugar-free gum or lollipops can help distract them from cravings.

Get rid of all vaping supplies.

Download tools (such as apps and texting programs) to their phone that can help with cravings and give encouragement while they're trying to stop vaping. Truth Initiative's This Is Quitting texting program, for example, can help young people quit vaping. Smokefree.gov also offers free apps and other tools that can help someone trying to quit smoking or vaping.

Understand withdrawal. Nicotine addiction leads to very strong cravings for nicotine, especially in the first few days after stopping. It also can lead to headaches; feeling tired, cranky, angry, or depressed; trouble concentrating or sleeping; hunger; and restlessness. These problems get better over the following days and weeks.

What Else Should I Know?

Lend your support as your teen tries to quit. Set a good example by taking care of your own health. Make your house smoke-free and vape-free. If you smoke or vape, make the commitment to quit. Keep all vaping supplies and refill materials in child-resistant packaging out of the reach of children. Nicotine exposure can poison and even kill a child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
E-cigarettes (or "vape pens") heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor, which is inhaled. The liquid (called e-liquid or "vape juice") can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. Here are the facts on vaping.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Press releases, advisories, telebriefings, transcripts and archives.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teen was in the fight for her life after vaping a cartridge a day I Nightline

# data[].attributes.headline
Teen Vaping: What You Need to Know - Child Mind Institute

# data[].attributes.subject
Teen Vaping: What You Need to Know - Child Mind Institute

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teen Vaping: What You Need to Know - Child Mind Institute

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Why do teens vape? What are the effects of vaping? Learn what are the dangers of e-cigarettes, why parents should be concerned, and get guidance on how to talk to kids about it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teen vaping doubles as other drug, alcohol use falls

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is vaping?

Vaping is when you use a small, handheld device (like e-cigarettes, vape pens or mods) to inhale a mist of nicotine and flavoring (e-liquid). It's similar to smoking a cigarette, but vaping heats tiny particles out of a liquid rather than burning tobacco.

How does vaping work?

Vaping works by heating liquid in a small device so you can breathe it into your lungs. The e-cigarette, vape pen or other vaping device heats the liquid in the device to create an aerosol. This isn't water vapor. Mist from e-cigarettes contains particles of nicotine, flavoring and other substances suspended in air. You breathe these particles into your mouth from the mouthpiece, where they go down your throat and into your lungs.

What are e-cigarettes (vape pens)?

An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that heats up the liquid nicotine and flavoring for you to breathe in. There are many varieties of e-cigarettes that go by different names, including vapes, vape pens or sticks, e-hookahs, hookah sticks, mods and personal vaporizers (PVs). They can also be collectively called electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

Most types of e-cigarettes have:

A cartridge, tank or pod that holds liquid (can be refillable).

A heating element for turning the liquid into breathable particles (aerosol, commonly called "vapor").

A battery to power the heating element.

A power or control button (some are activated by sensors when you inhale).

A mouthpiece to breathe in the aerosol.

What is the difference between vaping and smoking cigarettes?

Vaping and smoking both involve inhaling nicotine and other substances into your lungs. E-cigarettes heat liquid to make an aerosol; cigarettes burn tobacco, which creates smoke.

Is vaping worse than cigarettes?

Vaping is often thought of as safer than cigarette smoking, but vaping causes health problems, too. Both vaping and smoking are addictive and bring potentially dangerous chemicals into your body. The levels of many of these chemicals is higher when you burn tobacco. Vaping hasn't been around long enough to know what kind of long-term damage it might cause.

What does vaping do to your lungs?

The particles you inhale while vaping can cause inflammation (swelling) and irritation in your lungs. This can lead to lung damage like scarring and narrowing of the tubes that bring air in and out of your lungs. Researchers don't yet know all the effects vaping can have on your body.

Isn't vaping just water vapor?

No. Despite the name, vaping doesn't make water vapor. It actually creates an aerosol (or mist) that contains small particles of nicotine, metal and other harmful substances.

What's in e-liquid (e-juice)?

E-liquid, also called e-juice or vape juice, is what vaping devices use to make the vapor you breathe in. E-liquids aren't just water. They usually contain:

Flavoring. Each flavoring has its own set of ingredients.

Nicotine, the addictive and harmful substance in cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Propylene glycol and glycerin, used to create vapor.

E-liquids and flavorings sometimes have other ingredients, including:

Chemicals that can cause cancer (carcinogens), like acetaldehyde and formaldehyde.

Chemicals known to cause lung disease, such as acrolein, diacetyl and diethylene glycol.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical in marijuana that gets you "high."

Vitamin E acetate, linked to lung injury caused by vaping (EVALI, see below).

Heavy metals like nickel, tin, lead and cadmium.

Tiny (ultrafine) particles that can get deep into your lungs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Vaping (E-Cigarettes): What It Is, Side Effects & Dangers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Vaping is when you use a handheld device to breathe in a mist ("vapor"). Vaping can cause breathing problems, organ damage, addiction and other conditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe.

E-cigarettes should not be used by youth, young adults, or people who are pregnant. E-cigarettes may have the potential to benefit adults who smoke and are not pregnant if used as a complete substitute for all smoked tobacco products.

Scientists still have a lot to learn about the short- and long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes.

Nicotine

Most e-cigarettes, or vapes, contain nicotine, which has known adverse health effects.

Nicotine poses unique dangers to youth because their brains are still developing.

Adolescents who use nicotine may be at increased risk for future addiction to other drugs.

Other potential harms of e-cigarettes

E-cigarette aerosol can contain substances that can be harmful or potentially harmful to the body. These include:

Nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that can harm adolescent brain development

Cancer-causing chemicals

Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead

Tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs

Volatile organic compounds

Flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease. Some flavorings used in e-cigarettes may be safe to eat but not to inhale because the lungs process substances differently than the gut.

E-cigarette aerosol generally contains fewer harmful chemicals than the deadly mix of 7,000 chemicals in smoke from cigarettes. However, this does not make e-cigarettes safe. Scientists are still learning about the immediate and long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes.

Dual use refers to the use of both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes. Dual use is not an effective way to safeguard health. It may result in greater exposure to toxins and worse respiratory health outcomes than using either product alone.

Some people who use e-cigarettes have experienced seizures. Most reports to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have involved youth or young adults.

E-cigarettes can cause unintended injuries. Defective e-cigarette batteries have caused fires and explosions, some of which have resulted in serious injuries. Most explosions happened when the batteries were being charged.

Anyone can report health or safety issues with tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, through the FDA Safety Reporting Portal.

Health effects of vaping for pregnant people

The use of any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is not safe during pregnancy. Scientists are still learning about the health effects of vaping on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Here's what we know now:

Nicotine is a health danger for pregnant people and is toxic to developing fetuses.

E-cigarette use during pregnancy has been associated with low birth weight and pre-term birth.

Nicotine addiction and withdrawal

Nicotine is the main addictive substance in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. With repeated use, a person's brain gets used to having nicotine. This can make them think they need nicotine just to feel okay. This is part of nicotine addiction.

Signs of nicotine addiction include craving nicotine, being unable to stop using it, and developing a tolerance (needing to use more to feel the same). Nicotine addiction can also affect relationships with family and friends and performance in school, at work, or other activities.

When someone addicted to nicotine stops using it, their body and brain have to adjust. This can result in temporary symptoms of nicotine withdrawal which may include:

Feeling irritable, jumpy, restless, or anxious

Feeling sad or down

Having trouble sleeping

Having a hard time concentrating

Feeling hungry

Craving nicotine

Withdrawal symptoms fade over time as the brain gets used to not having nicotine.

Nicotine addiction and mental health

Nicotine addiction can harm mental health and be a source of stress. More research is needed to understand the connection between vaping and mental health, but studies show people who quit smoking cigarettes experience:

Lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress

Improved positive mood and quality of life

Mental health is a growing concern among youth. Youth vaping and cigarette use are associated with mental health symptoms such as depression.

The most common reason middle and high school students give for currently using e-cigarettes is, "I am feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed." Nicotine addiction or withdrawal can contribute to these feelings or make them worse. Youth may use tobacco products to relieve their symptoms, which can lead to a cycle of nicotine addiction.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about how using e-cigarettes (vapes) can affect your physical and mental health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

In the United States, youth use e-cigarettes, or vapes, more than any other tobacco product.

No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe, especially for children, teens, and young adults.

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine can harm the parts of an adolescent's brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.

E-cigarette marketing, the availability of flavored products, social influences, and the effects of nicotine can influence youth to start or continue vaping.

Most middle and high school students who vape want to quit.

Many people have an important role in protecting youth from vaping including parents and caregivers, educators and school administrators, health care providers, and community partners.

States and local communities can implement evidence-based policies, programs, and services to reduce youth vaping.

E-cigarette use among U.S. youth

In 2023, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States. In 2023:

2.1 million (7.7%) students currently used e-cigarettes. This includes:

550,000 (4.6%) middle school students.

1.56 million (10.0%) high school students.

Among students who had ever used e-cigarettes, 46.7% reported current e-cigarette use.

Among students who currently used e-cigarettes:

1 in 4 (25.2%) used an e-cigarette every day.

1 in 3 (34.7%) used an e-cigarette on at least 20 of the last 30 days.

9 in 10 (89.4%) used flavored e-cigarettes.

Students who currently used e-cigarettes:

Most often used disposable e-cigarettes (60.7%) followed by e-cigarettes with prefilled or refillable pods or cartridges (16.1%).

Most commonly reported using the following brands: Elf Bar, Esco Bars, Vuse, JUUL, and Mr. Fog.

Most middle and high school students who vape want to quit and have tried to quit. In 2020:

63.9% of students who currently used e-cigarettes reported wanting to quit.

67.4% of students who currently used e-cigarettes reported trying to quit in the last year.

Most tobacco use, including vaping, starts and is established during adolescence. There are many factors associated with youth tobacco product use. These include:

Tobacco advertising that targets youth.

Product accessibility.

Availability of flavored products.

Social influences.

Adolescent brain sensitivity to nicotine.

Some groups of middle and high school students use e-cigarettes at a higher percentage than others. For example, in 2023:

More females than males reported current e-cigarette use.

Current use of e-cigarettes varied by race and ethnicity.

Non-Hispanic multiracial students: 20.8%.

Non-Hispanic White students: 18.4%.

Hispanic or Latino students: 18.2%.

Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native students: 15.4%.

Non-Hispanic Black or African American students: 12.9%.

Many young people who vape also use other tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars. This is called dual use. In 2020:

About one in three high school students (36.8%) who vaped also used other tobacco products.

One in two middle school students (49.0%) who vaped also used other tobacco products.

E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver other substances, including cannabis. In 2016, nearly one in three (30.6%) of U.S. middle and high school students who had ever used an e-cigarette reported using marijuana in the device.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how much youth in the United States use e-cigarettes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Research has shown that following these steps gives vapers the best chance of quitting for good. Here are some tips you can share with your teen to help them successfully quit vaping.