Impact Flavors Have On Youth Tobacco/Vaping Initiation

As the vaping epidemic continues, more is learned about the dangers associated with the use of these products. One of the main reasons the use of vaping products is so high among youth is that these products are available in flavors that appeal to them.

With over 15,000 flavors available, who wouldn’t be intrigued? Thus, flavors are one of the main reasons behind youth using tobacco or vaping products.

First, let’s start with how many youth use e-cigarettes. Based on data from the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey, 3.6 million kids used e-cigarettes or vape products in 2020. The good news is that this is 1.8 million fewer users than in 2019. This equates to one in five high school students using these products. In Roosevelt and Daniels Counties, 13 to 16 years of age seems to be the age range for tobacco use initiation. Most tobacco use initiation starts before the age of 18. E-cigarettes are the most used tobacco product among Montana teens. More than half of Montana high school students have tried e-cigarettes or vaping and one in three currently vape daily. Closer to home, data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that

• 35 percent of Roosevelt County kids grades 7-8 report that they have tried vaping products.

• 53 percent of Roosevelt County kids grades 9-12 report that they have tried vaping products.

• 40 percent of Daniels County kids grades 9-12 report that they have tried vaping products.

When examining this data further, data from the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey related to flavors shows that 83 percent of youth e-cigarette users in the United States use a flavored product. Data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows that:

• 67 percent of Roosevelt County kids in grades 7-8 that use vaping products report using fruit, menthol or mint flavored products

• 76 percent of Roosevelt County kids in grades 9-12 that use vaping products report using fruit, menthol or mint flavored products

• 60 percent of Daniels County kids in grades 9-12 that use vaping products report using fruit, menthol or mint flavored products.

• 75 percent is the statewide average for using a fruit, mint or menthol flavored product

• About 90 percent of high school students in Montana who use e-cigarettes reported using a flavored product not including tobacco flavor.

Based on this data, flavors are clearly a major reason why youth begin using vaping products in the first place. The good news is that youth are attempting to quit using these products.

Based on data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 63 percent of kids in grades 7-8 and 67 percent of kids in grades 9-12 in Roosevelt County that are/were tobacco/vape users reported they tried to quit using tobacco products in the past 12 months while 67 percent of kids in grades 9-12 in Daniels County that are/were tobacco/vape users reported they tried to quit using tobacco products in the past 12 months. This data shows that they are researching these products to understand more what is taking place and taking a stand against using these products.

For questions on how to quit tobacco products including electronic cigarettes, contact A.J. Allen, tobacco prevention specialist for Roosevelt County, at 406653-6212.