The landscape of nicotine consumption in the United States is undergoing a significant transformation, with fewer Americans smoking traditional cigarettes while the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) continues to grow. This pivotal shift is detailed in the latest 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a comprehensive annual report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The survey, which provides a critical snapshot of substance use and mental health across the nation, reveals a clear and sustained decline in cigarette smoking between 2021 and 2024, alongside a notable rise in nicotine vaping, particularly among young adults. This guide delves into the key findings of the 2024 NSDUH report, exploring the trends, demographic shifts, and public health implications of this evolving relationship with nicotine.
Read moreGerman Review Finds Vaping and Pouches Are Easier on Gums Than Cigarettes, But Quitting Nicotine is Safest
A new comprehensive review of 52 human studies has shed more light on the comparative oral health risks of modern nicotine products like e-cigarettes (vaping) and nicotine pouches versus traditional combustible cigarettes. The German research, which analyzed papers published up to August 2024, confirms that while vaping and other tobacco harm reduction methods are significantly less damaging to oral health than smoking, the best outcomes are seen in individuals who quit nicotine altogether. This study provides crucial context for adult smokers considering switching to alternatives and for public health discussions surrounding harm reduction.
Read moreIn a major clinical trial that could significantly influence public health strategies, researchers have found that vaporized nicotine products (VNPs), commonly known as vapes or e-cigarettes, are nearly three times more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) like gum or lozenges at helping low-income smokers quit. The study underscores the potential of vaping as a powerful harm reduction tool, particularly for disadvantaged communities who bear a disproportionately heavy burden from smoking-related diseases.
Read moreWith the rise of vaping and an increasing focus on road safety, many wonder: is it legal to vape or smoke while driving in Vermont? The answer is nuanced. While the state does not have a specific law that outright bans an adult from vaping or smoking in their private vehicle, a web of related rules, exceptions, and, most importantly, a specific law protecting children, can still lead to legal consequences. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of Vermont’s laws regarding vaping and driving, ensuring you know your rights and responsibilities on the road.
Read moreA new study reveals a significant and alarming increase in the vaping of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and particularly synthetic cannabinoids (SC) among U.S. teenagers between 2021 and 2023. The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine by a team from the University of Queensland, Australia, also highlights a growing uncertainty among teens about the actual substances they are inhaling in their e-cigarettes, calling for urgent public health interventions and regulatory oversight.
Read moreA new clinical trial led by Flinders University in Australia has found that providing a variety of nicotine replacement options, including vapes (e-cigarettes) or combination nicotine replacement therapy (cNRT) like patches and gum, significantly helps people leaving drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities stay smoke-free. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, is the first of its kind to directly compare these methods in this specific, high-risk population.
Read moreThe rates of Indiana teens smoking and vaping are on the decline, with high school tobacco use hitting its lowest level in two decades, according to new 2024 data from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH). The Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey (IYTS) revealed that e-cigarette use among high school students dropped to 5%, the lowest level recorded since data collection began in 2012.
Read moreA 2025 “Nanny State Index” report offers a comparative look at how European countries regulate lifestyle choices, including a significant focus on tobacco and “safer nicotine” products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The index suggests that while many nations are tightening controls, approaches vary widely, with some imposing outright bans and others focusing on high taxation and advertising restrictions. Turkey, Lithuania, Finland, Hungary, and the United Kingdom emerge as some of the jurisdictions with the most stringent measures targeting traditional smoking and alternative nicotine delivery systems.
Read moreApproximately 1 in 9 Brazilian teenagers (8.7% of those aged 14-17) reported using electronic cigarettes in the past year, a rate significantly higher than youth use of traditional cigarettes (1.7%), according to a new survey by the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp). The study, based on data collected between 2022 and 2024 from over 16,000 people aged 14 and older across Brazil, marks the first time the Third National Survey on Alcohol and Drugs (Lenad 3) has included vape use.
Read morePregnant women who switch from smoking cigarettes to exclusively using vapes are exposed to significantly lower levels of certain toxic chemicals, according to new research led by scientists at City St George’s, University of London. The study, published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, is the first to rigorously compare exposure to harmful substances from smoking and vaping during pregnancy, providing crucial data as more pregnant women turn to e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid.
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