What Flavors Are Youth Vaping?

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What Flavors Are Youth Vaping

A survey conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shed light on the flavor preferences of youth who use electronic cigarettes. The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which comes amidst the FDA’s crackdown on illegal sales of flavored vapor and ongoing review of flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), reveals that nearly 85% of current youth e-cigarette users reported using flavored products.

Fruit Flavors Reign Supreme

Among the 84.9% of youth who reported using flavored e-cigarettes, fruit flavors emerged as the most popular choice, with 69.1% of users opting for these tantalizing tastes. Candy, desserts, and other sweet flavors followed closely behind, appealing to 38.3% of young vapers. Mint and menthol flavors also held significant appeal, with 29.4% and 26.6% of youth users choosing these options, respectively.

Flavored e-cigarettes youth usage
Source: https://visualize.graphy.app/view/98d8848d-e381-4cf0-a0ba-a4d63fc98525

The survey also examined flavor preferences among current users of disposable e-cigarettes, revealing a similar pattern. Fruit flavors once again topped the list, with 75.2% of youth users favoring these options. Candy, desserts, and other sweet flavors were the second most popular choice, attracting 40.4% of young vapers. Mint and menthol flavors followed, with 29.6% and 16.7% of users selecting these options, respectively.

Flavored disposable e-cigarettes youth usage
Source: https://visualize.graphy.app/view/c5c86e83-6e12-4cd9-b701-ffeb4d615272

Flavored Pods, Cartridges, and Tank Systems

When examining flavored pods, cartridges, and tank or mod systems, the survey found that fruit flavors consistently ranked as the most popular choice, followed by candy, desserts, and other sweet flavors. This trend highlights the powerful appeal of fruity and sweet tastes among youth who use these types of e-cigarette products.

As the FDA continues its efforts to regulate the e-cigarette industry and protect public health, particularly that of young people, understanding the flavor preferences of youth vapers is crucial. By identifying the most appealing flavors, regulators and health advocates can develop targeted strategies to discourage youth from using these products and prevent the development of long-term nicotine addiction.

Matthew Ma
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