3 min read
The Vaping Decline: Why Youth Nicotine Use Is Falling—and What It Means
Youth vaping peaked in 2019 and has been declining since. The decline is driven by policy, culture, and generational change. It challenges the 'epidemic' narrative—and raises questions about whether the aggressive policy response was proportional.
Youth vaping rates have fallen by over 60% from their 2019 peak. Youth smoking rates continue to decline. **The 'youth vaping epidemic' is receding—driven by policy (Tobacco 21, flavor restrictions), culture (vaping is no longer cool), and generational change (Gen Z is the most risk-averse generation in history). The decline challenges the narrative that youth nicotine use is an intractable crisis—and raises the question of whether the aggressive policy response was proportionate to the threat.**
