For those wanting to learn more about vaping and grasp the breadth and depth of the issue, learning what statistics have to say on the matter can be illuminating. You may be asking yourself, “How bad is vaping really?” Or “How widespread is it?” Vaping statistics can be helpful in answering those questions and others. Of course, vaping statistics will not tell the whole story of vaping or its risks, but they are a valuable tool for people seeking greater knowledge and understanding about vaping in general, and teen vaping in particular. 

Thankfully, this is an area of ongoing study and research by such credible organizations as the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration, and others. At Samaritas, we focus on understanding substance users where they’re at and our treatment approach is backed by data. We believe that the road to healing is paved with education combined with compassion. For people wanting to learn more about vaping, we’ve combined helpful statistics. Here’s vaping, by the numbers.

General Statistics About Vaping

Before we get into statistics about teen vaping, it can be helpful to explore a few data points about vaping in general. This context is especially important because vaping is often marketed as being “safer” than cigarette smoking, a talking point that has been embraced by young people. 

• According to a 2018 Gallup poll, 9% of adults in the United States said they “regularly or occasionally” vape. That number may not seem high when expressed as a percentage, but in reality is close to 30 million people.

• How explosive has the growth of vaping been? In 2011, there were an estimated 11 million people worldwide who vape. In 2023, that number is expected to grow to an estimated 86.1 people worldwide.

• The United States has the highest population of people who regularly vape, with more e-cigarette users than the next two countries, the United Kingdom and France, put together.

• Vaping is a highly lucrative industry. In 2023, the sale of vaping products is expected to reach or surpass $40 billion. The median cost of e-cigarette use is estimated to be between $50 and $75 per month. However, for heavy users, the cost of vaping can reach as much as $250 per month. 

Teen Vaping Statistics 

As troubling as the general stats about vaping are, teen vaping statistics range from concerning to downright alarming. Much in the same way that Big Tobacco targeted young users, marketing in the vaping industry appears to be especially effective at enticing young people into starting or continuing to vape. While changed laws, combined with public-service campaigns, have put a significant dent in teen cigarette use, many young people have been seduced by the erroneous belief that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. Teen vaping statistics are compiled at regular intervals by the FDA and CDC as part of the National Youth Tobacco Survey, and the story it tells is disconcerting.

• Currently, 14% of high school students and just over 3% of middle school students report ongoing e-cigarette use, a number that continues to grow with each survey.

• Nearly 30% of current teen users say they vape daily, while more than 40% say they vaped at least 20 of the last 30 days.

• If you’ve ever found yourself enveloped in a candy-scented vape cloud while walking down a sidewalk and thought it smelled like something that would be appealing to young people, you are correct. An overwhelming majority—85%—of teen vape users report favoring flavored “e-juice,” with fruit flavors being the top choice, followed by candy and other sweets.

• According to a Truth Initiative study, teen vaping increased 1,800% from 2011 to 2019, and young people are 16 times more likely to vape than people aged 25 to 34.

• A survey of teen JUUL users found that two-thirds of them were unaware that the product contains harmful nicotine.

• As for reasons that teens give for vaping, according to teen vaping statistics from Monitoring the future, 61% of them vape “to experiment,” 42% of them vape because they enjoy the taste, 38% do it to relieve stress or have a good time, and 29% vape to feel good or get high.

• Alarmingly, the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that more than 30% of teens who begin vaping transition to traditional cigarettes within six months.

While these numbers are concerning—particularly the statistics about teen vaping—at Samaritas we are committed to helping young people via our Adolescent Vaping Program. Our approach combines early intervention and evidence-based treatment with a process that respects teens and treats them with dignity and understanding. Contact us to learn more.