Public health researchers warn that youth nicotine vaping is increasingly concentrated among daily users who struggle to quit.
A USC-led analysis of 115,191 nationwide surveys from 8th, 10th, and 12th graders finds daily vaping rose from 15.4% in 2020 to 28.8% in 2024 among those who had vaped in the past 30 days, and the share attempting but failing to quit grew from 28.2% to 53%.
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, highlight a hardening of nicotine addiction among youths and signal a need for stronger prevention and expanded treatment options, including medications such as varenicline.
A new USC study shows that nicotine vaping among American youths remains a concern, even as overall youth vaping rates have declined since 2019. The research indicates a shift toward deeper addiction among the remaining users. The project analyzed five years of data and focused on whether young vapers are “hardening”—a term used in tobacco research to describe increased dependence as overall use drops.
Key findings
Daily use among youths who vaped at least once in the past month increased from 15.4% in 2020 to 28.8% in 2024.
Among daily users, those who tried to quit but could not rose from 28.2% to 53%.
The demographic profile of youth vapers shifted: by 2024, more vapers were female, non-Hispanic Black, or from rural areas.
Vaping was more common among youths who also used other substances, including alcohol and cannabis.
Rural youth exhibited the sharpest rise in daily vaping, from 16.4% in 2020 to 41.8% in 2024.
Implications for policy and prevention
The nicotine delivery in newer vaping devices has evolved to higher concentrations and larger volumes, raising concerns about rapid addiction among youths.
Regulators could consider limiting nicotine content as a means to reduce severe addiction risk.
Health officials should recognize that many youth who want to quit do not seek formal help, underscoring the need for accessible treatment options.
Clinical and treatment perspectives
The study’s lead author, Abbey Masonbrink, MD, MPH, emphasizes that a growing number of daily vapers are now highly dependent on nicotine, which calls for enhanced treatment and prevention strategies.
Medications for nicotine addiction, such as varenicline, have shown effectiveness in helping young people quit, according to the researchers. Expanding access to these treatments should be a priority.
Follow-up and future research
The team plans to conduct further work in urban, suburban, and rural settings to examine nicotine product marketing, access, and public health messaging.
Ongoing surveillance will help policymakers tailor interventions that address the evolving landscape of youth nicotine use.
Conclusion
The study reveals a worrying trend: as overall youth vaping may ebb, the remaining users appear to become more addicted and harder to help quit. This underscores the urgency of strengthening prevention and expanding access to evidence-based treatments, including pharmacotherapies, to support Addiction recovery among affected youths and reduce long-term health consequences.
Related topics
A Frontline Look At Parkinson’s Pain Care In Australia
Japan Moves to Link Pensions and Health Insurance Payments to Residency Status
A Safety Alert For SNAP Recipients: Panic, Politics And A Frayed Lifeline
