Nicotine vapes are sometimes marketed as aids for cigarette smoking cessation. However, teens do not typically turn to electronic nicotine vapes to curb smoking habits, according to University of Michigan research. The study, “Reasons for Vaping Among U.
S. Adolescents,” published in Pediatrics (online Nov. 12), examined data from in-school surveys of U.
S. students in eighth, 10th and 12th grades, revealing a mix of curiosity, boredom and stress relief as key drivers. Vaping has become the primary way that adolescents use nicotine.
Understanding why adolescents vape is important for figuring out how to reduce and prevent nicotine use among teenagers.” Megan Patrick, Author of U-M’s Institute for Social Research 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 frequency groups as well.
Among 12th graders who reported vaping near-daily, a third said they vaped to feel good or because it is more convenient than cigarettes. Less than 10% of that same group said vaping helped them quit smoking cigarettes. Near-daily vaping in the past 30 days was reported by 1.
7% of eighth graders, 4.2% of 10th graders and 7.8% of 12th graders.
“Relaxation” emerged as the top reason for vaping, cited by nearly half of adolescents who vaped in the past year and over 70% of near-daily vapers. The study stresses the importance of understanding the diverse reasons beh.
