Teen vaping sees unprecedented jump: study

A study released Monday found that high schoolers’ use of e-cigarettes roughly doubled over the past year in what researchers determined was an unprecedented increase.

The Associated Press reported that the survey found an increasing number of teenagers who are vaping, or using nicotine-tinged electronic cigarettes. The survey found that 1 in 5 high school seniors said they vaped in the past month.

{mosads}The survey, which is federally funded and conducted by the University of Michigan, found that vaping of marijuana has also increased, while teens smoke marijuana at roughly the same rate as last year. 

Vaping and alcohol use were the two most common substances teenagers used in the past year, according to the survey. Respondents indicated they are using alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, heroin and opioid pills less than in previous years.

The findings come as the nation grapples with an opioid epidemic that has led to scores of overdose deaths. While there has been a heavy focus on opioids, health experts have also expressed concerns about the rise in vaping, which they say can lead to addiction and other health problems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier this year launched a major push to stop e-cigarette sales to minors, accusing manufacturers and retailers of contributing to an “epidemic” of use among kids and teenagers.

The FDA last month announced plans to ban flavored e-cigarette products as part of a push to curb vaping.