Michigan officials may have something to learn from a pair of new studies looking at the vaping habits of young people.
The Journal of the American Medical Association Tuesday published two studies from the University of Southern California. The studies include a U.S. government report based on a survey indicating that the U.S. teen vaping epidemic shows no signs of slowing down.
One study found about 1 in 4 high school students and 10% of middle school students in 2019 regularly use electronic cigarettes. The research shows U.S. teens who use electronic cigarettes prefer ones made by Juul Labs.
The other found mint is the favorite flavor of vaping products of most 10th and 12th graders. Previously studies had found teenagers were more likely to use fruit or candy flavored vaping products.
“The findings that mint really was the most popular flavor among nearly all kids is a really important finding particularly when considering different policies that are on the table right now,” says Dr. Jessica Barrington-Trimis, an Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at USC. “There’s a misperception that the only people who use mint and menthol vape products are adult smokers who are trying to quit. And I think what our study shows is that is not the case.”
The studies are based on data from more than 14,000 6th through 12th graders. The data is from the Monitoring the Future study, based at the University of Michigan.
Michigan imposed a ban on flavored vaping products earlier this fall, as part of an effort to reduce teen vaping. But a judge last month blocked the ban.
