The Misleading Correlation Between Teen Vaping and Teen Smoking Declines
October 21, 2024 by cato.org
The Misleading Correlation Between Teen Vaping and Teen Smoking Declines
A recent CDC report revealed that teen smoking and vaping rates continued to decline between 2023 and 2024, with e-cigarette use among high schoolers dropping from 10% to 7.8%. Despite this, e-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth, followed by nicotine pouches. The CDC report suggests a link between the decline in vaping and smoking, but it may overlook other contributing factors. Research from Brown University indicates that e-cigarette use may have replaced cigarette smoking among teens who share characteristics with earlier smokers, implying that vaping may have helped reduce smoking rates.