High Schoolers in West Virginia Vape the Most

Mar.22.2023
High Schoolers in West Virginia Vape the Most
A study by Drugwatch found 25% of American high school students use e-cigarettes with West Virginia having the highest usage rate.

According to a research report by Drugwatch, a US organization that monitors medications, approximately 25% of high school students in the US use e-cigarettes, while the proportion among adults is approximately 6%. Currently, over 35% of high school students in West Virginia use e-cigarette products, making it the state with the highest usage rate in the country.


The state with the highest proportion of high school students using electronic cigarettes


According to data from drug monitoring, the state with the highest usage of electronic cigarettes by young people is West Virginia, at 35.7%, followed by North Carolina at 35.5%, New Mexico at 34%, and New Hampshire at 33.8%.


According to data from the West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention, the rate of tobacco use among adults in the state is the highest in the country, with approximately 25.2% of adults in West Virginia using tobacco.


Currently, the tax rate on traditional cigarettes in West Virginia is significantly higher than that of electronic cigarettes. The state charges $1.20 for every 20 traditional cigarette sticks, while only charging $0.15 for every 2 milliliters of e-cigarette liquid.


The issue of electronic cigarette use among middle school students.


Across the United States, there have been reports from various states of students being hospitalized as a result of using electronic cigarettes.


For example, three students at Mountaineer Junior High School in West Virginia used THC electronic cigarettes on school grounds and displayed signs of being under the influence. Two of the students were taken to the hospital, and local officials stated that it was fortunate the electronic cigarettes did not contain fentanyl.


In November 2022, three students from Barbour High School in West Virginia were hospitalized after experiencing "very serious adverse reactions" to something, fortunately, it was not fentanyl. Officials have not confirmed whether the reaction came from something in a vaping device.


In December 2022, four high school students in Portland, Connecticut were sent to the hospital after using e-cigarettes in the bathroom. The teacher noticed they were feeling drowsy and called an ambulance for them.


Related Reading:


A high school student in the United States fell ill after vaping in a school bathroom.


Reference:


A recent study has revealed that high school students in West Virginia have the highest rates of vaping in the United States.


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