Boredom, Experimentation, Relaxation Among Top Reasons Teens Vape: Study

Nicotine vapes are marketed as aids for cigarette smoking cessation. However, teens do not typically turn to electronic nicotine vapes to curb smoking habits, regardless of how the products are marketed, according to research. The study, “Reasons for Vaping Among U.S. Adolescents,” published in the December 2024 Pediatrics (published online Nov. 12), examined data from in-school surveys of U.S. students in eighth, tenth and twelfth grades. Of the 5,082 respondents, data showed relaxation was the most common reason cited no matter the grade or frequency of vaping. Boredom landed in the top three reasons across all frequency groups as well. Among twelfth graders who reported vaping near-daily, a third said they did to feel good and or because it was more convenient than cigarettes. Less than 10% of that same group said vaping helped them quit smoking cigarettes. The authors of the study argue that screening for stress and anxiety should be conducted alongside nicotine screenings to provide early intervention. These experts also noted a shift in why adolescents are vaping, as 2015 data listed relaxation as only the fifth most common reason. They argue further research is needed to understand those adolescents vaping for weight management – reported by nearly a fifth of twelfth graders who vaped near-daily.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.