Banning Flavored E-Cigarettes Increases Traditional Cigarette Use Among Young Adults
September 09, 2025 by profolus.com
Banning Flavored E-Cigarettes Increases Traditional Cigarette Use Among Young Adults
A study in Health Economics revealed that state bans on flavored e-cigarettes may lead young adults to increase traditional cigarette use. Led by Henry Saffer, the research used survey data to analyze the unintended consequences of these bans. Among 18-24-year-olds, there was a 2-3% decrease in e-cigarette use alongside a similar rise in cigarette smoking, indicating a substitution effect. Evidence also suggested a potential increase in smoking among minors. Older adults were less affected. Similar studies show bans reduce vaping but increase smoking, indicating the need for nuanced public health policies to address unintended outcomes.
