This infographic explores e-cigarette use among teens, including usage rates compared with cigarette use, potential for e-cig use to lead to smoking, and what teens say is in their e-cig, as well as avenues for teens’ exposure to e-cig advertising.
Figure 1: Teens are more likely to use e-cigarettes than cigarettes.
Past-month use of cigarettes was 3.6 percent among 8th graders, 6.3 percent among 10th graders, and 11.4 percent among 12th graders. Past-month use of e-cigarettes was 9.5 percent among 8th graders, 14.0 percent among 10th graders, and 16.2 percent among 12 graders.
Two times as many boys use e-cigs as girls.
Figure 2: Teen e-cig users are more likely to start smoking.
30.7 percent of e-cig users started smoking within 6 months while 8.1 percent of non users started smoking. Smoking includes combustible tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, and hookahs).
Figure 3: What do teens say is in their e-cig?
66.0 percent say just flavoring, 13.7 percent don’t know, 13.2 percent say nicotine, 5.8 percent say marijuana, and 1.3 percent say other. Manufacturers don’t have to report e-cig ingredients, so users don’t know what’s actually in them.
Figure 4: High teen exposure to e-cig advertising
7 in 10 teens are exposed to e-cig ads.
Among middle school students, 52.8 percent are exposed to retail ads, 35.8 percent to internet ads, 34.1 percent to TV and movie ads, and 25.0 percent to newspaper and magazine ads. Among high school students, 56.3 percent are exposed to retail ads, 42.9 percent to internet ads, 38.4 percent to TV and movie ads, and 34.6 percent to newspaper and magazine ads.
References
This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated, using the following language: Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.