Recent research has revealed a concerning trend – depressed teenagers are twice as likely to use e-cigarettes. A study conducted in Australia with 5,000 youth aged 12-13 found a higher prevalence of vaping among those experiencing severe depression, stress, and a low sense of well-being. These findings align with similar studies in the U.S. linking e-cigarette use to mental health issues in young people, particularly amidst the global mental health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In the Australian study, it was found that adolescents with moderate levels of stress were 74% more likely to vape, while those with high stress levels were 64% more likely to vape. Additionally, those reporting a low sense of well-being were 105% more likely to use e-cigarettes. Alarmingly, over 8% of the surveyed youth admitted to vaping previously.
“These findings underscore the immediate necessity for prevention and early intervention strategies, supported by evidence, to safeguard the health and well-being of young individuals,” said Dr. Lauren Gardner, one of the study’s lead researchers from the University of Sydney.
A study by the American Heart Association in 2023 revealed that over half of 13- to 24-year-olds who vape nicotine, THC (the active component in marijuana), or both, reported experiencing depression in the past week compared to non-vapers. More than 50% of vapers admitted to having suicidal thoughts in the past month, as opposed to 25% of non-vapers.
The Sydney researchers observed that teenagers typically start vaping around the age of 14. Conversely, a 2023 survey in the U.S. found that 10% of high school students use e-cigarettes.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has been vocal about the mental health crisis among American youth. In 2021, he highlighted the increased rates of depression and anxiety among young people worldwide and advocated for enhanced mental health services for youth. Murthy also cautioned about the negative impact of social media on the mental well-being of children and adolescents.
The American Heart Association offers essential guidelines for parents to steer their children away from tobacco and e-cigarette use:
• Start discussing smoking and vaping with your kids early on, and continue the conversation as they grow older.
• Educate them on the dangers of smokeless tobacco, hookah, and e-cigarettes, including nicotine addiction.
• Help them prepare responses if offered a cigarette or e-cigarette by a friend.
• If you smoke or vape, consider quitting or at least refrain from doing so around your children.
• Ensure that your home and other spaces your child frequents remain tobacco-free.