Adolescent E-Cigarette Use Linked to Social Media Exposure

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by investigators at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine found a strong association between social media exposure and e-cigarette use among middle and high school students in the United States. The study analyzed data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which included 22,069 students. The results showed that older students, non-Hispanic White students, and those who frequently saw, posted, or interacted with e-cigarette-related content on social media were at higher risk for e-cigarette experimentation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which included 22,069 students, with 16,845 included in the final analysis after excluding those with missing data.
  • Older students showed significantly higher odds of e-cigarette use than younger students.
  • Non-Hispanic Black and other racial groups had lower odds of e-cigarette use compared to non-Hispanic White students.
  • Adolescents who perceived e-cigarettes as more harmful or more addictive than cigarettes were less likely to have used them.
  • Social media behaviors were strongly associated with e-cigarette use, with students who used social media less frequently having lower rates of e-cigarette use.
  • Exposure to e-cigarette-related content on social media further increased the likelihood of e-cigarette use.
  • Public health efforts should focus on addressing social media influences, correcting misperceptions about peer use, and educating adolescents on the risks of e-cigarette use to mitigate this growing public health concern.

Statistics:

  • 14.8% of students reported ever using e-cigarettes.
  • 2,498 students (14.8%) reported ever using e-cigarettes.
  • Older students showed significantly higher odds of e-cigarette use than younger students.
  • Non-Hispanic Black and other racial groups had lower odds of e-cigarette use compared to non-Hispanic White students.

Sources:

  • An Analysis of Social Media and Electronic Cigarette Use by Middle and High School Students Surveyed by the National Youth Tobacco Survey in 2023. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 2025,16.
  • Journal of Primary Care & Community Health - http://journals.sagepub.com/home/jpc
  • SAGE Publishing
  • doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/21501319251364335