Vaping: Why Middle School Teens Think It’s Cool

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Middle School Teens Now Vaping

Vaping—a form of smoking using electronic cigarettes—has become increasingly popular among middle school teens. What was once seen as an adult habit is now considered “cool” by many children as young as ten. Over the past five years, the number of students using e-cigarettes has more than doubled, raising serious concerns for parents, educators, and health professionals.

Why Are Middle Schoolers Turning to Vaping?

A major reason vaping is spreading so quickly among young teens is accessibility. E-cigarettes are:

  • Cheaper than traditional cigarettes

  • Easy to hide from adults

  • Available in kid-friendly flavors like cotton candy and mango

  • Often marketed with sleek designs that resemble USB drives

Add to that the influence of celebrities and social media, where stars like Brad Pitt, Charlie Sheen, and Jenny McCarthy have been seen using or endorsing vape products. For young minds looking to fit in or seem grown-up, vaping becomes a status symbol.

Hookah Lounges and Peer Influence

Hookah lounges are also gaining popularity with this age group, despite age restrictions. In these lounges, users share flavored tobacco through water pipes. Though meant for adults, these venues—and the social appeal—make their way into youth culture through online videos and peer stories.

Even though the legal smoking age is 18 or older, many middle schoolers find ways to bypass the rules, often through older friends, online purchases, or lack of parental oversight.

CDC and the Growing Epidemic

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been tracking the increase in youth vaping. Concerned by the long-term health risks and high addiction rates, especially in those who start young, the CDC continues to issue warnings and push for tighter regulations.

More than 90% of adult smokers started before the age of 18.

Vaping may seem harmless to teens, but the nicotine content in many e-cigarettes is dangerously high, making it highly addictive and a potential gateway to smoking traditional cigarettes or using other substances.

It’s Not Cool — It’s Dangerous

Teens who vape often say they just want to be “cool” or fit in with the crowd. But the reality is far from glamorous:

  • Vaping can harm brain development

  • It increases risk of lung damage

  • It creates a false sense of safety

  • And it can lead to a lifetime of nicotine addiction

This behavior typically begins at home. Teens often mimic what they see, and if vaping or smoking is normalized in the household, they’re more likely to try it themselves.

What Can Parents Do?

If you suspect your child is vaping, don’t ignore the signs. Open, honest conversations are the first step toward prevention.

Here’s what you can do:

  • 🔐 Know what e-cigarettes look like—they may resemble USB sticks or pens

  • 🧠 Talk to your child about the health risks and peer pressure

  • 🛡️ Set clear rules and expectations around vaping and smoking

  • 💬 Create a safe space for your child to talk about challenges at school

  • 📱 Monitor online activity and be aware of influencers your child follows

Remember, this isn’t about punishment—it’s about protection. Your voice matters more than you think, and it starts at home.

48 Comments

  1. I don’t get the idea of replacing smoking cigarettes to e-cigarettes or vaping. Teenagers are so hooked with this stuff which they don’t realize the more health problems they will be facing in the coming days. I personally not approve with vaping… do not smoke, do not use vape.

  3. I have been saying this from the beginning. We have no idea what kind of health effects is going to have on a person it could be worse than smoking or at minimum the same as smoking. I have talk to my son already about this and I will continue to as he gets older.

  5. I didn’t realize that teens were vaping. I’m glad I know now. I know they are supposedly better than cigarettes because of the no tar feature but kids should not be using them.

    • Terri Beavers, Vaping no tar feature I am not quite sold on this type of smoking as being better. Now that kids are smoking E-cigarette we need to do more researched on long terms affects on the growing child.

  8. I had no idea this was common in teens. That’s pretty alarming. Even if it’s not an actual cigarette it still promotes smoking.

  10. I do not agree with kids or teens vaping. Most vapers are against this as well. As someone who vapes, I think it is a good alternative to smoking cigarettes. My health has improved and my doctors are 100% supportive of my decision. Vaping Advocates are working hard to stop the marketing to children.

  14. Some teens think that they are cool if they vape, but they didn’t know that it can affect your health! How I wish to stop them.

  16. Agree with you that unfortunately e-cigarettes and vaping are very popular among teens but it’s important to let them know the dangers. Thanks for raising awareness of such an important issue!

  18. I had no idea what an e-cigarette was worse yet vaping until I saw a story about one blowing up and badly burning a young man. My take, your choose to use, you accept the consequences.

    • Claudette, Sad for that child…I don’t think the kids understand the consequences that is why Parents need to understand the seriousness that E-cigarette & Vaping is not a flavor or a toy!

  20. WHAT? There is no way I’d allow my middle school son to vape, or smoke! Thankfully he has no interest, because oh man. No way.

    I will say though my husband loves his vapes, and I much prefer them for him than smokes.

  23. I definitely don’t understand how underage kids get away with smoking anything . As far as vaping is concerned, my hubby -who kicked his 30+ year smoking habit a couple years ago – is seriously concerned about this new trend with e-cigs and vaping, and doesn’t understand how or why people are doing it, thinking it’s some how “safer” than smoking cigarettes.

    • K. Lee Banks, Kids are great at keeping secrets. If Parents are busy they will never know their child has been Vaping until its too late. I read that its impossible for Teachers in school to tell. Because of different flavors come with E-cigarettes it gives off a sweet scent.

  27. I didn’t know it was trendy with the youth. I know my oldest son (28) did it for a while and he doesn’t even/has never smoked! I’m glad it was just something he tried and quickly moved on. I don’t like it.

  28. It’s happening at my son’s school too and I can’t believe it when he told me about it. He was even offered to try it. Just too thankful that he said no and that he has no plans of trying it.

    • Lynndee, I am so happy your son refuses the peer pressure to try E-cigarette. Most important congratulations to you as being a parent that is supportive and listen. By Building trust with your child he felt comfortable to talk to you.

  29. I knew this becomes a trend and I’m highly supporting the idea of regulating it. The same way we don’t sell regular cigarettes or alcohol to minors, we should not sell e-cigarettes. It’s normal thing that teens will want to try it out – as it always was with things like smoking, but we should educate them about the consequences etc.

  30. It’s scary that it’s being marketed to such a young demographic:(. My brother smoked for years and finally quick but he can’t seem to quit vaping. I’m working on him but it’s also very addictive.

  31. I will always tell to my two boys of the bad effect of smoking, another teen thinking that they are cool when they smoking

  32. It’s so scary that kids this young are using this! What really annoys me is that people that started using e-cigs are getting as bold as to using it inside where you can’t smoke. Because they don’t believe it is considered as cigarettes.

  33. Vaping??? No no no no no…look I thought cigarette smoke was going down but I didnt know it meant vaping would replace it. Teens need to stop doing what seems “cool” and remember that what they start as a bad habit young will haunt them as an adult…we need to educate these kids because if they think this is cool they will be sorry later.

  34. This is terribly sad.
    I definitely need to keep the discussion going about how bad smoking is for the health. Even though we talk about it quite a bit.

  35. This is such an important issue people have to start taking more seriously because it can really hurt our children and influence others to become addicts at a very young age

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