Adolescent Vaping and Nicotine Use in 2017–2018 — U.S. National Estimates

Abstract

Table 1 also shows the prevalence of daily nicotine vaping, which was defined as nicotine vaping on at least 20 days during the previous 30 days. These levels were 12%, 7%, and 2% in 12th, 10th, and 8th grade, respectively. Current efforts by the vaping industry, government agencies, and schools have thus far proved insufficient to stop the rapid spread of nicotine vaping among adolescents. Of particular concern are the accompanying increases in the proportions of youth who are physically addicted to nicotine , an addiction that is very difficult to overcome once established. The substantial levels of daily vaping suggest the development of nicotine addiction. New efforts are needed to protect youth from using nicotine during adolescence, when the developing brain is particularly susceptible to permanent changes from nicotine use 4 and when almost all nicotine addiction is established. 5