Frequent teen vaping linked to alarming nicotine levels

These authors break new ground by using objective, measurable biological evidence to show significantly higher concentrations of nicotine metabolites in the bodies of teenagers who most frequently use (“vape”) e-cigarettes, compared to other levels of use. Dai et al. analyzed both survey and urine biomarker data collected from a nationally representative sample of US teens who had varying patterns of tobacco use and non-use. These data are available from NAHDAP via restricted-use agreement, in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study [United States] Biomarker Restricted-Use Files (ICPSR 36840). Dai et al. found that teens who vaped frequently (at least 20 days per month) had over 90 times more nicotine in their system than occasional users, and more than 10 times that of moderate users. This is particularly alarming, according to Dai et al., since other research shows that 40 percent of teens who vape are frequent vapers. Further, Dai et al. found that whether the PATH Study participants thought their devices contained nicotine or not, they had more nicotine in their bodies than those who did not vape at all. These findings represent a public health concern, since nicotine exposure can harm brain development and lead to nicotine addiction in young people. Click here for more publications using PATH Study restricted-use biomarker data.