According to a recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, the prevalence of marijuana e-cigarette use among teenagers has doubled from 2013 to 2020. In 2018 alone, approximately one-third of 12th-grade students consumed marijuana.
A commentary has analyzed 17 studies conducted in the United States and Canada between 2015 and 2021, involving a total of 198,845 surveyed adolescents. Titled "Prevalence of adolescent marijuana and e-cigarette use: A systematic review and meta-analysis of US and Canadian studies," the analysis found that the lifetime prevalence of marijuana e-cigarette use rose from 6.1% in 2013 to 13.6% in 2020. Furthermore, between 2017 and 2020, the prevalence of marijuana e-cigarette use doubled, increasing from 7.2% to 13.2%. Additionally, from 2013 to 2020, the 30-day prevalence increased by 7 times, from 1.6% to 8.4%.
According to the author, one possible explanation for the observed increase in popularity of cannabis e-cigarette use within the time frame studied is the expansion of opportunities to acquire cannabis e-cigarette products, particularly among young people who commonly use e-cigarette products. This expansion is thought to be driven, in part, by the legalization of cannabis, which has reduced the perceived risk associated with its use over the last decade.
Smoking rates have decreased.
Meanwhile, a recent tobacco and nicotine survey in Canada showed that smoking rates for this particular age group decreased by 40% from 13.3% to 8% between 2019-2020. This figure is encouraging for Canada's Health Department's goal of a 5% smoking prevalence rate by 2035. Additionally, the 15-19 age group has already achieved this target, with current smoking rates not exceeding 5%.
In a letter to Patty Hajdu, the Minister of Health and an economics professor and medical researcher at Concordia University, Ian Irvine of the Howe Institute expressed disappointment about the media's selective coverage of vaping-related issues. Irvine stated that the media has largely overlooked important accomplishments in this field and instead has focused on the concept of vaping as a popular trend among this age group.
Irvine emphasized that although smoking rates have been decreasing due to government policies on tobacco, a true change occurred with the emergence of e-cigarette products. "By 2013, the smoking rate among the 15-19 age group had dropped to 11%, 18% among the 20-24 age group, and 16% among those 25 and older...then a disruptive technology appeared - e-cigarettes.
Source: Vaping Post.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
