Statement: FDA, CDC say 2.5 million young Americans using e-cigarettes

WASHINGTON — New data released Thursday from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) shows that about 1 in 10 U.S. middle and high school students are currently using e-cigarettes. Among youth e-cigarette users, nearly 85% reported using flavored products, and the most commonly used devices were disposable vapes. 

Responding to the data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that it has issued a warning to the major e-cigarette company Puff Bar, which the agency says has been “receiving and delivering e-cigarettes in the U.S. without a marketing authorization order.” The FDA noted that the Puff products subject to its warning letter are “non-tobacco nicotine (NTN) products.” NTN is a term used to describe nicotine, including “synthetic” nicotine, that did not come from a tobacco plant.

In response, PIRG’s Public Health Campaigns Director Matthew Wellington released the following statement:

“E-cigarettes are highly addictive products that impact youths’ brain development and learning abilities, yet the FDA continues to play softball with vaping companies whose products end up in the hands of young people. 

“2.5 million high school and middle school students reported vaping in 2022. Over and over again, the data show that flavored products are key to attracting and hooking young people into a potentially life-long struggle with nicotine and tobacco addiction. Enough is enough. The FDA should take all flavored e-cigarettes, and other flavored tobacco products, off the market.”