Did you know that children from 7th-9th grade were statistically classified as active smokers or vapers? However, there is no need to panic as a recent survey by California Healthy Kids shows that there has been an overwhelming decline in teen vaping.
According to this 2021 study, smoking amongst 7th graders declined by 50% since 2015. Even better is the decline amongst the 7th and 9th graders as the smoking rate reduced by 75% and 71% respectively. Particularly, the study revealed that only 2% of 11th graders and 1% of 9th and 7th graders are actively smoking. This means that in a month, the teenagers only smoked once or twice!
In terms of vaping, the survey noted that in 2015, there was a dramatic increase in the cases of vaping among teenagers. 7th graders vaping cases increased by 7% whereas the cases of vaping amongst 9th graders and 11th graders rose by 13% and 14% respectively.
Six years down the line however, the study notes that there has been a record low in terms of teen vaping. The survey sates that only 2% of 7th graders, 10% of 11th graders and 6% of 9th graders use e-cigarettes.
The decline in the smoking and vaping among teens in California has certainly raised eyebrows making research companies curious to know the cause the decline. According to a research by Prevention Research Centre of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, the Tobacco 21 (T21) Law had everything to do with the reduced teenage smoking and vaping in California.
The T21 law in case you are wondering increased the minimum age for sale and consumption of tobacco. Persons aged 20 and below were no longer allowed to purchase tobacco until they clocked 21. This law influenced decline in smokeless and e-cigarette use among the adults aged 20 and below.
The study further noted that there has also been a decrease in the use of tobacco and nicotine drug in California. This has also relatively attributed to the decline in vaping among teens as they mainly smoke tobacco and the nicotine drug. Perhaps having low levels of such drugs in the market can also be a measure that nations can employ if they are looking at reducing vaping.
California is doing extremely great in the fight against teenage vaping. And if numbers are anything to go by, California might just be among the first states to achieves the state of zero teen vaping and smoking. While this might take some time to be attained, the current declines should raise hope to our states and countries battling the menace that is young adult smoking and vaping.
If asked nations should perhaps gather and incorporate lessons from California so that the future of the young generation becomes secured for the better. Essentially, the retailers should be aware of the regulations and help the governments in enforcing them because they are the primary link between the teenagers and the vaping devices or rather vaping commodities.
