Regulating vaping with a deadlier habit in mind
September 25, 2025 by harvard.edu
Regulating vaping with a deadlier habit in mind
Approximately 34 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes, resulting in over 480,000 deaths yearly. Vaping, seen as a safer alternative for smokers, has gained popularity among teens. Balancing the need to deter youth vaping while allowing adult smokers access was discussed in a panel by the Petrie-Flom Center and others. Policies have shown some success in reducing youth e-cigarette use, but may increase adult tobacco use. E-cigarettes, with fewer harmful chemicals, are considered effective for smoking cessation. Regulatory gaps and weak FDA authority have hindered efforts to control e-cigarette sales, with financial penalties limited. Stricter age restrictions and penalties could help enforce regulations and prevent a shift from e-cigarettes to traditional cigarettes.
14.10% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 39.8 million current smokers in United States 17.10% of men are current smokers but only 11.10% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
