There appears to be a silver lining to forced school and business closures during early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study: Fewer kids used e-cigarettes.
Compared to the previous quarter, vaping rates fell among 15- to 20-year-olds while widespread stay-at-home orders were in place from March 14 to June 29, 2020, according to an online survey of more than 5,750 teens and young adults.
The main reason for the decline? There was an apparent lack of access to e-cigarettes and other vaping supplies, according to the researchers. Shops were closed or had limited hours, and there weren’t parties or after-school hangout sessions where kids could share e-cigarettes.
“The combination of not being able to share, not having access to retail outlets and affordability were significant predictors of drops in vaping,” said study author Jennifer Kreslake, research director from the Schroeder Institute at Truth Initiative, a Washington, D.C.-based anti-tobacco group.
While this is good news, it’s too soon to celebrate just yet.
Denise Mann – Healthday – 2021-04-22.
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