Changes in Prevalence of Vaping among Youths in the United States, Canada, and England from 2017 to 2019.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the changes in the prevalence of vaping among youths in the United States, Canada, and England from 2017 to 2019. The study also examines the relationship between vaping and smoking and the impact of regulatory environments on vaping prevalence. additionally, the text explores the perceptions of Juul, a popular e-cigarette brand, among a national sample of youths in the United States.

Key Points:

* The study used repeated cross-sectional online surveys of youths aged 16 to 19 years in Canada, England, and the US.
* The prevalence of vaping increased in all three countries between 2018 and 2019, but was substantially more prevalent in Canada and the US compared to England.
* Vaping was significantly higher among individuals who reported smoking than other respondents in all three countries.
* The proportion of youths who ever vaped and/or smoked increased between 2017 and 2019 in Canada and the US, but not in England.
* Social influences, such as fitting in with a peer group or experimentation, are important factors in Juul use among youths.
* Despite a common belief among youths that juuling may be dangerous and may serve as a gateway to other substances, rates of Juul use continue to rise.
* The study suggests that policies designed to reduce e-cigarette use among youths should address social drivers and age-appropriate interests in experimenting with substances.

Main Message:
The study highlights the significant increase in vaping prevalence among youths in the United States and Canada, as well as the impact of regulatory environments on vaping prevalence. The text also emphasizes the importance of understanding youth perceptions of e-cigarette brands like Juul in developing effective policies to curtail their use. To address the youth vaping epidemic, policies should not only focus on restricting the sale of flavored products but also address social drivers and age-appropriate interests in experimenting with substances.

hammond D, Rynard VL, Reid JL. Changes in Prevalence of Vaping among Youths in the United States, Canada, and England from 2017 to 2019. JaMa pediatrics. 2020;174(8):797-800. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.0901