USC study implicates flavored e-cigs in teen vaping epidemic

Researchers found that 64% of teens using flavored e-cigs were still vaping six months later, compared to 43% who used more traditional flavors.

A new study has found that teens who vape candy- or fruit-flavored e-cigarettes are more likely to stick with the habit and vape more heavily, implicating flavors in the teen vaping epidemic.

The study — published online Monday in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics — could bolster calls for federal restrictions on flavored e-cigs. The products continue to be sold widely more than a month after the Trump administration announced a plan to clear the market of e-cigarettes in flavors other than tobacco. Juul, the market leader, voluntarily pulled its some of its flavored products.

“While many children try e-cigarettes, not all become regular users. Teens who use e-cigarettes may be more inclined to continue vaping rather than just temporarily experiment with e-cigs,” said Adam Leventhal, director of the USC Institute for Addiction Science and professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “Whether or not children continue vaping is important — the longer and more frequently you vape, the more you’re exposing yourself to toxins in e-cigarette aerosol and putting yourself at risk for nicotine addiction.”

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