Study Finds No Statistical Link Between E-Cigarette Use and Smoking Among Youth

Oct.21.2022
Study Finds No Statistical Link Between E-Cigarette Use and Smoking Among Youth
A recent study found no statistical association between e-cigarette use and regular smoking in participants aged 16 to 24.

Many anti-e-cigarette advocates believe that e-cigarettes may serve as a gateway to smoking. A study titled "Smoking Intentions and Progression from e-Cigarette Use to Smoking" claims that the use of e-cigarettes among adolescents who had no prior intention to smoke is associated with an increased risk of future smoking.


Currently, research is being conducted to measure the gateway effect by examining the relationship between electronic cigarette use and overall smoking rates among young people, including non-smokers. If there is indeed a gateway effect, then the change in smoking rates among those who are associated with smoking should increase in tandem with the use of electronic cigarettes. However, the authors of the study found no statistically significant correlation between the use of electronic cigarettes and regular smoking among participants aged 16 to 24.


These research findings indicate that we can rule out the previously reported large gateway effect, especially in the 18 to 24 age group. However, we cannot rule out smaller gateway effects, and we have not studied younger age groups. If the estimates are correct, we estimate that around 7,000 out of 74,000 16 to 17-year-old e-cigarette users in England will become regular cigarette smokers due to e-cigarette use. At the same time, an estimated 50,000 smokers quit smoking each year due to e-cigarette use," said lead researcher Dr. Emma Beard.


In countries and regions where e-cigarettes are recognized, there is no evidence that they are creating a gateway effect.


According to the findings of these investigations, countries such as the UK and New Zealand, which support the use of e-cigarettes as a means of quitting smoking, not only report low smoking rates, but also do not have an increased proportion of teenagers using e-cigarettes. Reports from these countries are consistent with previous studies on these patterns, and a recent article titled "Does the Gateway Theory Justify the Prohibition of Nicotine E-Cigarettes in Australia?" has once again refuted the gateway theory.


Comment authors Colin Mendelsohn and Wayne Hall point out that a more reasonable explanation as to why young people who vape are more likely to smoke is attributed to personality factors. This means that teenagers who vape are more likely to be risk-takers, and therefore more prone to smoking, drinking alcohol, using cannabis and other substances, as well as engaging in unprotected sex. This argument has been emphasized by other experts in several studies.


The major findings reviewed by Mendelsohn and Hall are as follows:


Smoking usually precedes the use of electronic cigarettes. At least 70-85% of teenage smokers try using electronic cigarettes after starting to smoke. Most teenage electronic cigarette users are experimental and regular use of electronic cigarettes among non-smokers is rare. In Australia and international surveys, the proportion of non-smokers who regularly use electronic cigarettes is usually 1% or less. Many teenage electronic cigarette users only use flavorings and do not use nicotine. Nicotine addiction is rare among electronic cigarette users who do not smoke. In the United States, less than 4% of non-smoking youth who use electronic cigarettes have symptoms of nicotine dependence. Some teenagers use electronic cigarettes to quit smoking. Since the introduction of electronic cigarettes, teenage smoking rates have declined rapidly in the United Kingdom and the United States, making it unlikely that electronic cigarettes will increase teenage smoking. Electronic cigarettes are more likely to steer some high-risk teenagers away from smoking and towards safer alternatives.


Statement:


This article is compiled based on third-party information and is intended for industry professionals to exchange and learn from.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the content. The compilation of this article is only intended for communication and research within the industry.


Due to limitations in translation ability, the translated article may not fully express the same meaning as the original text. Therefore, please refer to the original text for accuracy.


Regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related statements and positions, 2FIRSTS fully aligns with the Chinese government.


The copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Canadian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Ban on Flavored E-Cigarettes within 100 Days
Canadian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Ban on Flavored E-Cigarettes within 100 Days
Canadian tobacco control organizations urge federal government to ban flavored e-cigarettes, as youth vaping rates remain high. New Health Minister urged to act within 100 days.
May.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Zealand Official Says Vaping Rules Outperform Australia’s, Backs “Licensing Plus Regulation” Approach to Tobacco Control
New Zealand Official Says Vaping Rules Outperform Australia’s, Backs “Licensing Plus Regulation” Approach to Tobacco Control
New Zealand’s Customs Minister and Associate Health Minister Casey Costello stated that the country’s sharp decline in smoking rates is largely due to its “licensing plus regulation” approach to vaping, rather than outright bans. She noted that this model has proven more effective than Australia’s blanket prohibition policy.
Jun.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA & CBP Seize Nearly 2 Million Illegal E-Cigarette Products
FDA & CBP Seize Nearly 2 Million Illegal E-Cigarette Products
The FDA and CBP seized nearly 2 million unauthorized e-cigarettes in Chicago this February, worth $33.8 million. Most came from China, involving brands like Snoopy Smoke and Raz. The FDA sent warning letters to 24 importers for using false labels to evade inspection.
May.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippine Health Department Teams Up with High School Students in Anti-Vaping Campaign
Philippine Health Department Teams Up with High School Students in Anti-Vaping Campaign
The Philippine Department of Health has partnered with the country's first student-led anti-smoking committee to tackle the surge in youth tobacco and e-cigarette use. The campus-based health campaign focuses on exposing industry marketing tactics targeting young people.
Jul.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Croatia Proposes E-Liquid Tax; Prices Could Rise Up to Fivefold
Croatia Proposes E-Liquid Tax; Prices Could Rise Up to Fivefold
The Croatian government plans to increase excise taxes on all types of tobacco products starting July 1 and, for the first time, impose a tax on e-liquids, sparking concerns within the industry. The tax reform aims to address budget shortfalls and promote public health goals, but industry critics warn it could fuel black market growth and undermine existing tobacco control efforts.
Jun.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Singapore May Tighten E-Cigarette Rules as Surge Detected in Products Laced with Anesthetic Etomidate
Singapore May Tighten E-Cigarette Rules as Surge Detected in Products Laced with Anesthetic Etomidate
Singapore plans to tighten vaping laws after detecting 28 etomidate-laced e-cigarette cases in H1 2025—nearly triple 2024’s total. Despite the 2018 ban, S$41 million worth of products were seized from Jan 2024 to Mar 2025, and a UN report shows rising etomidate e-cigarette use across East and Southeast Asia.
Jul.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai