Top 5 Takeaways

1. In 2022, 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students reported using e-cigarettes.
2. Among these users, 42.3% used e-cigarettes frequently, with daily use reported by 27.6%.
3. Disposable e-cigarettes were the most popular device type, especially among high school students (57.2%).
4. Puff Bar was the most commonly used brand, and 84.9% of users favored flavored e-cigarettes, primarily fruit flavors.
5. The study highlights the need for comprehensive tobacco prevention and control strategies to address e-cigarette use in this demographic.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Maria Cooper, Maria.Cooper1@fda.hhs.gov

Suggested Citation

Cooper M, Park-Lee E, Ren C, Cornelius M, Jamal A, Cullen KA. Notes from the Field: E-cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1283–1285. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7140a3.

Summary

The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a cross-sectional study, revealed significant e-cigarette usage among U.S. middle and high school students. The survey, which included in-school and remote responses, assessed e-cigarette use in terms of frequency, device type, flavors, and brands.

Methods

This web-based survey, conducted from January 18 to May 31, 2022, involved middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12) students. It calculated weighted prevalence estimates and population totals, adhering to the CDC’s institutional review protocols.

Discussion

The survey findings indicate a notable prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth. The majority of users preferred flavored e-cigarettes, with fruit flavors being most popular. Disposable devices were the most common, and brands like Puff Bar, Vuse, and JUUL were widely used.

Conclusion

With 2.55 million middle and high school students using e-cigarettes in 2022, the study underscores the urgency of implementing comprehensive tobacco prevention and control measures at various levels. It emphasizes the risks associated with youth e-cigarette use and the importance of sustained efforts to mitigate this issue.