Less tobacco use for Canadian youth, but their reasons for vaping are concerning

First, some good news: in 2021, over 6 in 10 (61%) of Canadian youth aged 15–19, and over one-quarter (27%) of young adults aged 20–24 have never tried a tobacco cigarette in their lives.

However, vaping rates have been increasing and tend to be higher among youth than older Canadians. Many e-cigarettes also contain nicotine.

Recent data from Statistics Canada look at some of the reasons why young people vape. In 2021, among 15- to 19-year-olds who vaped, about 1 in 3 (33%) vaped to reduce stress, up from 21% in 2019, according to the Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey.

Canadian youth have experienced worse mental-health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, in part due to gathering restrictions and social isolation.

Findings from recent research suggest the likelihood of adolescents vaping increases when they have peers who engage in negative behaviours.

Just over a third (35.5%) of adolescents aged 15–17 reported vaping if at least one of the following was true of their friends: skipped school regularly, had reputations for causing trouble, drank, or thought it was okay not to work hard in school. The risk of vaping also increased for this age group if they reported use of alcohol, tobacco or cannabis.

The vaping rate for adolescents is considerable; in 2019, about 1 in 20 (5.4%) aged 12–14 vaped, as well as around 1 in 5 (21.3%) of those aged 15–17.

Among younger adolescents (aged 12–14 years), a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder could mean higher odds of vaping, possibly related to difficulties with impulsivity and decision-making, or as a means of self-medication or symptom management.

The research also identified protective factors for younger adolescents: having their parents know who they were with and having a greater sense of closeness and belonging with others were associated with lower rates of vaping.

Trends and long-term health

In addition to concerns over mental health, the physical health of young Canadians who vape continues to be a concern.

Not only have vaping rates among youth increased over time, but, according to data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth, close to one-quarter (23.8%) of 12- to 17-year-olds who vaped in the last 30 days did so daily or almost daily.

The long-term health effects of vaping products remain largely unknown, but they do contain and emit many potentially toxic substances.

Lung injury associated with e-cigarette and vaping use hospitalized thousands and killed dozens in the United States in 2019 and 2020. This serves as a cautionary tale that, like smoking, it’s best not to vape at all.