Teens Are Using E-Cigarettes For More than Just Nicotene

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that U.S. adolescents are using refillable e-cigarettes for products other than nicotine.

E-cigarettes are becoming more and more popular among middle and high school students.

A 2015 study examined e-cigarettes and tobacco use among adolescents. Published in the journal of “Pediatrics”, Thomas A. Willis and his research team found that e-cigarettes are being used U.S. youth who would normally not try tobacco products.

In fact, a 2016 study, “Youth-Targeted E-cigarette Marketing in the US”, examined how e-cigarettes were marketed in the U.S. The study found that many of the advertisements were directed towards adolescents. In fact, Alisa Padon and her team discovered the ads frequently tied e-cigarettes to emotions including: happiness (68%), friendship (41%), sex (24%), and success (24%).

E-cigarettes
Stock Photo: MOSCOW – 9 DECEMBER, 2016: Vape Expo store.Electronic cigarette filling liquids shop. (hurricanehank / Shutterstock.com)

What’s worrying is that most addictions typically start during adolescence. Now, with the rise of synthetic cannabis in urban areas, new research by the CDC is suggesting that middle and high school students are filling up their e-cigarettes for something more than just nicotine.

The E-Cigarette CDC Report

Published in the “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report”, researchers show that 16% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the last month. However, adolescents who choose to vape, report filling their e-cigarette for more than just nicotine.

The CDC explained that one third of e-cigarette users are not smoking nicotine. In fact, among Connecticut high school students, 18% of e-cigarette users revealed they used cannabis in an e-cigarette.

Moreover, the CDC also reported e-cigarettes as being popular among young white and Hispanics in comparison to black students. Not to mention, blu being the most reported e-cigarette product among U.S. youths.

The health agency suggests a continued effort to prevent and reduce the use of e-cigarettes, among U.S. kids. Furthermore, the CDC recommends continued regulation of the distribution and marketing of tobacco products.