With the high prevalence of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette, e-cigs or vapes) and increasing popularity of oral nicotine pouches among youth, teens and young adults, the Health Department Tobacco Control Program is educating on harms to consumers to prevent initiation and reduce nicotine use.
As of 2023, 16% of Vermont high school students said they used e-cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days. Of those students, 37% did so daily.
Vapes contain harmful metals, such as arsenic and lead. As e-cigarettes deliver flavorings, additives, and, typically, nicotine through an inhaled aerosol, they are harmful to both the user and those who are exposed secondhand. The Health Department follows the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation urging those who influence youth, young adults and people who are pregnant to discourage nicotine use in any form, including e-cigarettes.
One in 17 high school youth currently smoke cigarettes (6%). Smoking rates are highest among high school youth with an IEP, LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, people of color, older youth and male youth.
Emerging Nicotine Products
Oral nicotine pouches, which contain nicotine, flavorings and other ingredients, are placed between the lip and gum where nicotine is absorbed. Whether made from tobacco plants or made in a lab, nicotine pouches are not a safe alternative to smoking or vaping and not FDA approved for quitting any other form of tobacco use. Nicotine pouches are never safe for youth, young adults and pregnant women.
