National Consumer Watchdog Group Reacts to Youth Risk Behavior Survey on Vaping

For Immediate Release                                                 Contact: Abigail Graham: (202) 417-7235

April 28, 2023      

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published results from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The biennial nationwide survey examines high school students’ various behaviors including, physical activities, dietary habits, substance use, mental health issues, and smoking and vaping. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) Consumer Center has examined previous years’ survey results and has been eagerly waiting this report.

In response, Lindsey Stroud, Director of TPA’s Consumer Center, offered the following comment:

“Finally, the CDC published this data. It’s a little too late given that half a dozen states are trying to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and vapor products, but nonetheless, it is welcome news.

“Like other national surveys, youth vaping seems to have peaked in 2019 and has decreased since then. According to today’s results, only 18 percent of high school students were using e-cigarettes, this is a 45 percent decrease from 2019’s levels. Even better, youth use of traditional tobacco products including cigars, cigarettes and smokeless products is at record lows. In fact, 2021’s rates were the lowest levels recorded.

“Unfortunately, there is an alarming trend in regards to youth mental health. Nearly half (43.4 percent) of high schoolers reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, which was the highest rate recorded.

“As we know from other survey data, nearly half of youths reported using e-cigarettes because they felt anxious, stressed and/or depressed. Yet, despite this, lawmakers continue to push through with prohibitionist policies that fail to consider why youths are using vapor products. This is an alarming problem given the increases in youth mental health.

“Policymakers should take note of their own state-specific data and question whether their policies are really helping any of their state’s kids. This newly released data can only be useful if used appropriately by health officials and policymakers.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.