Key facts
- The FDA has authorized the first fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for adult smokers.
- Nearly 6% of U.S. middle and high school students reported vaping in 2024.
- Experts worry the authorization of flavored vapes could lead to increased youth vaping.
- Vaping is linked to respiratory issues, asthma, and nicotine addiction in adolescents.
- Parents are advised to engage in open, non-judgmental conversations with children about vaping.
- Resources like counseling and quit programs are available for teens seeking to stop vaping.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for adults seeking to quit traditional cigarettes, a move that has raised concerns among health experts about a potential rise in youth vaping. Nationally, nearly 6% of middle and high school students, totaling 1.63 million, reported using e-cigarettes in 2024, with flavored products being the most popular choice among teens.
Dr. Scott Hadland of Mass General Brigham for Children and Harvard Medical School expressed worry that the authorization of fruit and sweet flavors, which are particularly appealing to young people, could undermine the progress made in reducing teen vaping rates. He noted that an FDA memo indicated these flavored vapes are not significantly more effective at helping smokers quit than tobacco-flavored options.
Experts emphasize the dangers of vaping for young people, including respiratory problems such as coughing, worsening asthma, bronchitis, and potential long-term lung disease. Nicotine addiction is a significant concern, as it can disrupt the developing adolescent brain, affecting attention, learning, and mood. Studies indicate that teens who vape report higher rates of wheezing and shortness of breath, impacting physical performance.
To address these issues, experts recommend that parents initiate open-ended, non-judgmental conversations with their children about vaping. They suggest asking about their knowledge of vaping, its harms, and whether their peers are using e-cigarettes. Experts also highlight the influence of social media and the importance of educating teens that curbing nicotine withdrawal is not the same as stress relief. Arming children with information about health effects is considered more effective than solely relying on age restrictions, as many teens obtain vapes from friends or online.
Personal accounts, like that of Ricky Resendez, who started vaping in eighth grade and later quit, illustrate the challenges of nicotine addiction and the negative impacts on physical health and academic performance. Ricky eventually sought help through a school social worker and the American Lung Association’s Not On Tobacco program. Similarly, Gaby Cuadra quit after nine years of vaping, utilizing a program from Truth Initiative and Mayo Clinic. Most middle and high school students who vape express a desire to quit, and resources such as doctor consultations, counseling, and text-message quit programs are available to assist them. For heavy users, medical interventions like Chantix or nicotine replacement therapy may be considered under medical supervision.