Social influences play a big role in the use of e-cigarettes among youth. With the start of the new school year, students are at risk of being exposed to vaping flavored nicotine “juices” and to the oral use of nicotine pouches (e.g., “Zyn”) by their peers.  Studies report that about a third of students get vapes from their friends. It is the most common reason that students experiment in middle school with vaping. Many students have also had products bought for them, or they find ways to buy products for themselves.  

Heavy marketing to youth by the tobacco industry with “sexy” advertising continues across the Internet and at the point-of-sale in their neighborhoods.  As a result, the new school year may bring higher reports of vaping nicotine &/or using nicotine oral pouches due to increased efforts by school officials to confiscate nicotine-containing products under the tobacco-free-campus policy in all four York County school districts.  

Peer pressure on students drives them to try vaping nicotine in all of its flavored forms and/or to try nicotine oral pouches (also flavored), and as a result efforts to get their hands on vapes or pouches can increase during the school year.  Read more at: 

Why Youth Vape | Smoking and Tobacco Use | CDC 

As the new school year is now underway, parental concerns about youth vaping continue to grow. With 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students using vapes in 2020, the rise in youth vaping has become a significant issue — particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the widespread mental health stress it created.  The return to in-person social interactions has increased exposure to vapes and other nicotine-containing products with peers, making it easier for young people to feel comfortable experimenting with these harmful, highly addictive, popular items (Truth Initiative).

Alarmingly, 9 out of 10 nicotine-addicted adults (including vapers) began before the age of 18, indicating that tobacco companies intentionally target youth to cultivate lifelong customers. These companies have even gone so far as to heavily market flavored vapes disguised as everyday items like food, school supplies, or popular cartoon characters, making them especially appealing to younger audiences (World Health Organization).

One of the most concerning trends is the widespread use of flavored e-cigarettes among youth. With enticing names like "lush ice" and "blue raspberry," these flavors mimic candy and other treats, drawing in young users. Nearly 90% of vape students choose flavored ones (CDC).

• In 2023, e-cigarettes became the most commonly used commercial tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States.  Consider this:  2.1 million students (7.7% of all 6th to 12th graders), including 550,000 middle school students (4.6%) and 1.56 million high school students (10%), are estimated through survey questionnaires to be regularly using these products!  So, the need for parent awareness, plus the promotion of accessible prevention education & cessation support for our teens, are more crucial than ever (CDC).

There is no question that peer influence plays a significant role in youth vaping.  With students now back to school, the risk of exposure to vaping and the use of oral nicotine-containing pouches by their peers continues to increase. Again, research shows that about a third of students obtain these unhealthy, popular, nicotine-addicting products from friends, which is the most common reason cited for trying them in the first place. And, the accessibility of these products often rises during the school year, leading to higher rates of usage and more frequent confiscation reports by school officials (CDC).

So, with the new academic year, parents, educators, and community members need to stay vigilant and proactive in addressing this growing epidemic of nicotine addiction.  By working together, we can help protect our youth from the dangers of vaping and create a healthier, nicotine-addiction-free future for all.

Be sure to check out our website for more information regarding nicotine addiction and its adverse effects on brain development, and then stay updated on these issues by following Tobacco Free York County and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention [CDC] Office of Smoking & Health.