Journal of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Teen Attitudes Towards Vaping and Their Relevance to Policy
Maury Grebenau
Abstract
Teens are increasingly using vapes and e-cigarettes to vaporize nicotine and marijuana resulting in acute problems such as lung failure and long-term health implications that are still largely undiscovered. Vaping became more prevalent than traditional smoking among teens in 2014 and has continued to grow in popularity. A variety of policy tools exist but utilizing them effectively has been a slow process. Identifying the most effective policy levers requires an understanding of the attraction of vaping from the perspective of teens. Specifically, the difference between teen interest in vaping and traditional cigarettes must be understood since education, policy, and advertisements used to discourage teen smoking may not be effective in curbing teen vaping. To maximize success, policy needs to address both external factors that attract teens (such as flavor, design of the vapes, and price point) as well factors that are internal to the vaping experience (such as peer validation, perceived risks and the lack of psychological barriers). A broad policy approach that includes a focus on aspects specific to vaping that are not salient to other risky behaviors, including traditional cigarettes, has the best chance of curbing teen vaping.
Keywords: Vaping; Adolescent; Teen; Health.
Journal Information
- Journal Name: Journal of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Journal Short Name: J Ment Health Substance Use
- Language: English
- Format of Publication: Online
- Starting Year: 2020
- Focus Subject: Mental Health Disorders, Substance Abuse, and Addiction
- Publication Model: Online
- Frequency of Publication: One Issue a Year
- Review Process: Single blind peer-review by referees
- Time to 1st Decision: 2 to 3 weeks from date of submission
- Time to Acceptance: 4 to 6 weeks, depending upon the required revision cycles
- Time to Publication: 1 to 3 weeks from date of final submission in the forthcoming issue
- DOI Prefix: 10.7620
Indexed and Abstracted In
