Peer influence drives teen vaping: study
July 29, 2025
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Young people with friends who vape are 15 times more likely to use e-cigarettes, new research has found.
The study, published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, found peer influences were a major factor in vaping trends, while disapproval of e-cigarettes from people important to teens – such as parents – reduced the likelihood of a teen vaping by about 70 per cent.
“We analysed data from 20,800 American youth between 2015 and 2021 and found while the proportion with friends who smoked declined, having friends who vaped remained concerningly common,” Giang Vu, lead author and a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, said.
“In 2015, 31.6 per cent of young people had friends who vaped, and while this decreased to 22.3 per cent by 2021, this figure is still high.
“The outbreak of lung disease associated with vaping, and COVID-19 related disruptions to social networks and access most likely contributed to this decline.”
The late-2019 outbreak of lung injuries attributed to vaping products are now known to be caused by Vitamin E Acetate added to illicit marijuana vapes.
Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan, who collaborated on the study, said social media played a big part in vaping rates among young people.
“In many videos, vaping is portrayed as trendy and a healthier lifestyle choice when compared to cigarette smoking, but this is dangerous messaging,” Dr Chan said.
“We need more regulation on social media, along with targeted policies and campaigns to decrease vaping rates.”
Key findings:
- Teens who had friends who vaped were 15 times more likely to use e-cigarettes themselves.
- Between 2015 and 2021, the probability of having friends who smoked cigarettes decreased from 26.1 per cent to 7.9 per cent.
- Meanwhile, the probability of having friends who vaped decreased from 31.6 per cent to 22.3 per cent.
- Between 2015 and 2020, perceived public disapproval increased for both cigarettes (73.3 per cent to 84.2 per cent) and vaping (55.4 per cent to 77.5 per cent).
- Disapproval of e-cigarettes from people important to teens reduced the likelihood of a teen vaping by about 70 per cent.
