Boredom, relaxation and experimentation are the main drivers of teen vape use, according to new research from the University of Michigan (UM).
The study, “Why American Teens Use vapes,” published in Pediatrics, examined school-based survey data of 8th, 10th and 12th graders in the United States.
“vapes have become the primary way teens use nicotine,” said author Megan Patrick of the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. “Understanding why teens use vapes is important for figuring out how to reduce and prevent teen nicotine use.”
Of the 5,082 respondents, the data showed relaxation was the most common reason, regardless of grade or frequency of vaping. Boredom also ranked in the top three reasons for the frequency group.
Among 12th graders who reported using vapes almost every day, a third said they used vapes to feel good or because it was more convenient than cigarettes. Less than 10% of the same group said vapes helped them quit smoking.
In the past 30 days, 1.7% of 8th graders, 4.2% of 10th graders, and 7.8% of 12th graders reported using vapes almost daily in the past 12 days. “Relaxation” emerged as the top reason for vaping, cited by nearly half of teens who vaped in the past year and more than 70% of almost daily users.
The study highlights the importance of understanding the various reasons behind teen vaping, especially the important role of stress relief. Given that a large proportion of almost daily vaping uses vapes to relax, it is critical to include mental health support in prevention programs.
“Our findings suggest that the reasons for teen vape use have shifted over the past decade, from experimentation to stress relief and relaxation, highlighting key areas for intervention,” Patrick said.
Other frequently mentioned reasons included “experimentation” and “borredom,” with “taste” also ranking high. Among almost daily users, a significant number noted that they used vapes to “feel good” or because it was “more convenient than cigarettes,” while a smaller proportion said they used them to “help quit smoking.”
“Among teens who use vapes almost every day, 43% reported that they vape because they are addicted or have to have it,” Patrick said. “The fact that so many teens are addicted to nicotine is concerning. Another reason reported by nearly one in five people who vape almost every day is to control their weight. More research is needed on this, but parents and health care professionals should be aware that many teens are vaping in an attempt to lose weight or control their weight.”
The study authors believe that screening for stress and anxiety should be done along with nicotine screening to provide early intervention. These experts also noted a change in the reasons teens vape, as data from 2015 listed relaxation as the fifth most common reason.
They believe further research is needed to Understanding teens who use vapes for weight management – Nearly one in five 12th graders reported using vapes almost every day.
The study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
For Veehoo, these findings bring some thought-provoking insights. Veehoo has been committed to providing high-quality vape products to adult vape users in need, and calls on all sectors of society to focus on understanding the reasons why teenagers use vapes. Compared to simply calling for a ban on vapes, Veehoo believes that it is more important to go deeper into Understand why teenagers choose to use vapes and strive to find more effective intervention and prevention measures.
According to research data, relaxation is one of the main reasons why teenagers smoke vapes. This suggests that teenagers may choose vapes when they are looking for a way to relieve stress and relax. Veehoo believes that more mental health support and education should be provided to help teenagers cope with stress, rather than just solving the problem through bans.
In addition, the study also pointed out some other reasons why teenagers use vapes, such as taste preferences, experimental attempts, and the need to control weight. These findings suggest that the motivations of teenagers to smoke vapes are multifaceted and require comprehensive intervention measures to address.
Veehoo believes that it is important to be aware of the root causes behind teenagers’ vape use and take corresponding actions. By providing more mental health support, education and resources, we can help teenagers better manage stress and emotions, thereby reducing their need to use vapes.
In general, Veehoo calls on society to pay attention to the reasons why teenagers smoke vapes in order to develop more effective intervention measures. By understanding and responding to the needs of teenagers, we can better protect their health and well-being so that they can grow up healthily.
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