Vaping and Tobacco Industry Tactics

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Many people think the tobacco problem is solved. It’s not. The rate of cigarette smoking among youth continues to decrease in Massachusetts but 2500 young people still become cigarette smokers every year in our state. En Español.

In an effort to get young people in Massachusetts hooked on nicotine-based products, the industry has introduced new products that are appealing to kids.

A 2017 study showed that 41% of Massachusetts high school youth had used e-cigarettes, (vaping products). In fact, 20% of high school students reported that they had vaped in a 30-day period. The current use of e-cigarettes among high school youth was higher than that for all other tobacco products combined and students use them six times more often than adults.

The tobacco and vaping industries use three main tactics to get our kids hooked:

Sweet

The tobacco and vaping industries add sweet flavorings to their products that are designed to attract young people. Flavors like chocolate, cotton candy, fruit punch, candy, banana, apple pie, strawberry, and banana – among thousands of others – entice youth while also disguising the taste of tobacco.

Cheap

To encourage impulse purchases by adolescents – and to create future, long-term customers – the tobacco and vaping industries price their products cheaply. Some vaping “starter” products have been sold for as little as $1.00 each with coupons.

Easy To Get

Cheap tobacco and vaping products are easily available to young people. They’re sold in many places including convenience stores, corner stores, and gas stations.