Notes from the field: electronic cigarette use among middle and high school students - United States, 2011-2012

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that provide doses of nicotine and other additives to the user in an aerosol. Depending on the brand, e-cigarette cartridges typically contain nicotine, a component to produce the aerosol (e.g., propylene glycol or glycerol), and flavorings (e.g., fruit, mint, or chocolate). Potentially harmful constituents also have been documented in some e-cigarette cartridges, including irritants, genotoxins, and animal carcinogens. E-cigarettes that are not marketed for therapeutic purposes are currently unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and in most states there are no restrictions on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Use of e-cigarettes has increased among U.S. adult current and former smokers in recent years; however, the extent of use among youths is uncertain.

FIGURE

Ever electronic cigarette use^* among middle and high school students, by year — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2011–2012 ^* Ever electronic cigarette use defined as having ever used electronic cigarettes, even just one time. ^†95% confidence interval. ^§ Statistically significant difference between 2011 and 2012 (chi-square, p<0.05).