U.S. Vaping Use Rises Sharply Among Youth and Adults
A study tracking national data from 2013-2014 through 2022-2023 finds vaping days, frequency and daily use all climbed substantially.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Total vaping days in the United States increased 183 percent between 2013-2014 and 2022-2023, according to research published Oct. 20 in Tobacco Control. Past 30-day vaping rose 45 percent and daily vaping increased 230 percent over the same period.
Why it matters
The findings show vaping growth is not confined to young people, since adult vaping days also continued rising after the pandemic. The sharpest increases began after 2016-18, a period that coincides with the rise of JUUL and the spread of nicotine salt e-liquids.
The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health survey shows vaping days among those under 21 and past-30-day vapers rose 337 percent, and that group accounted for 16 percent of all vaping days in the 2022-2023 wave. The study does not address how these patterns will change in coming years.
The players
Tobacco Control
Tobacco Control is a peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes research on tobacco use, policy and public health.
University of Waterloo
The University of Waterloo is a public research university in Ontario, Canada, where the lead study author is based.
The details
Researchers used data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study to track e-cigarette use among youth aged 12 to 17 and adults across the period. Nicotine salts, which change the chemistry of the vaping aerosol and make inhalation and nicotine intake easier, were identified as a factor in the post-2016-18 rise.
Timeline
2013-2014: Baseline period for the vaping use comparison.
2016-18: Most significant increases in vaping prevalence and frequency begin.
2022-2023: Endpoint period for the vaping use comparison.
Oct. 20: Study published online in Tobacco Control.
Substance Abuse Trends
The post-2016-18 surge follows the market entry of JUUL and the spread of nicotine salt e-liquids, which made high-nicotine inhalation easier. The 2022-2023 figures show that growth continued beyond that initial period.
For adults who vape, the study indicates that daily use has risen more sharply than occasional use, which may affect nicotine dependence. Parents and caregivers of teenagers may want to be aware that youth vaping days have grown substantially over the period.
The takeaway
Vaping has grown across age groups, with daily use rising fastest over the past decade. Anyone concerned about nicotine use can speak with a healthcare provider about cessation options.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Substance Abuse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ophthalmology Advisor.
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