The flavored e-cigarette epidemic among the youth

In 2022, 16.5% of high school students and 4.5% of middle schoolers reported currently using tobacco products, as per the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Those 16.5% and 4.5% amount to 3.08 million teenagers – the overwhelming majority being underage – currently use such substances. However, no product comes close to the popularity of the e-cigarette — or vape.

The vape appeals to young people with the attractiveness of a tobacco high (seemingly) without the otherwise nasty consequences of regular cigarettes. However, the ace under the sleeve comes with a strategy that is targeted solely at young people: flavored vapes.

Overwhelmingly, 85% of the vape users surveyed reported consuming e-cigarettes that come in distinct flavors, like fruits, candy, desserts, and other sweets. Though the FDA has warned major retailers not to sell these, and has even taken steps to outright ban them, not enough is being done to tackle the ease with which underage people are able to get their hands on them.