We all know that e-cigs get a bad rap sometimes. Many people have raised concerns that the flavorful nicotine e-liquid is simply the first step on the way to smoking. However, new research may prove otherwise.
An e-cig study published in April by the BMJ Open found that teens in Wales were more likely to have experimented with e-cigs – or more specifically vaporizers – than with traditional tobacco products. Six percent of 10-11 year olds had tried an e-cig, but only 1.6% had tried smoking tobacco. Of the 11-16 year olds, over 12% had used an e-cig, but 39.2% admitted to smoking a traditional tobacco product. The 11-16 year olds were the only age group that experimentation of smoking was more commonly found than experimentation of vaping.
Now here’s where the data gets really interesting…
When comparing the percentages, 5.3% of the 10-11 year olds had used an e-cig but never touched a tobacco cigarette. That number of teens who used an e-cig but never smoked actually rose in the 15-16 year olds to 8%. Essentially, a higher percentage of the older teens had tried vaping without ever trying traditional tobacco products.
The report sums up the data saying, “e-cigarettes are unlikely to make a major direct contribution to adolescent nicotine addiction at present.” This means that while teens are experimenting with vaporizers, e-cigs are not necessarily a “gateway” to smoking.
The study concluded that more longitudinal research would have to be completed for resolute information on age-related use of e-cigs and their relationship to traditional tobacco products. But it’s a start, right?
There’s always new information coming out about the relationship between e-cigs and cigarettes, so check out our blog and knowledge center as we post about new studies and other vape news. Also, stop by a VaporFi store near you for quality custom vaporizers and delicious e-liquid.
Gianna Del Monte is the Brand Manager at VaporFi. She has been in the vaping industry since June 2015 and has extensive experience in successfully managing and marketing a variety of new vapor product launches. Originally from New Jersey, Gianna has lived in the Miami area for the last 5 years.
