Characteristics of Electronic Cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2015

Weekly / December 30, 2016 / 65(5051);1425–1429

Tushar Singh, MD, PhD1,2; Sara Kennedy, MPH1; Kristy Marynak, MPP1; Alexander Persoskie, PhD3; Paul Melstrom, PhD1; Brian A. King, PhD1(View author affiliations)

View suggested citation

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

In 2015, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. middle and high school students. Tobacco use and addiction typically begin during adolescence, and the use of products containing nicotine in any form among youth, including in e-cigarettes, is unsafe.

What is added by this report?

Among U.S. middle and high school students who have ever used e-cigarettes, most report using rechargeable/refillable e-cigarettes, and approximately one third report using e-cigarettes for substances other than nicotine. Among students who reported ever using e-cigarettes, the most commonly reported brand was blu (26.4%, 1.65 million youths); approximately half of students did not know the brand of e-cigarettes they have used.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Comprehensive and sustained strategies are warranted to prevent and reduce the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, among U.S. youths. Monitoring the characteristics of e-cigarette use among youths, including product types, brands, and ingredients, is important to guide measures to prevent and reduce the use of e-cigarettes among youths.

Tushar Singh, MD, PhD1,2; Sara Kennedy, MPH1; Kristy Marynak, MPP1; Alexander Persoskie, PhD3; Paul Melstrom, PhD1; Brian A. King, PhD1(View author affiliations)

View suggested citation