The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized its first fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, a move intended to provide adult smokers with alternatives to traditional cigarettes. However, public health experts express concern that the decision could inadvertently fuel renewed interest in vaping among young people.

The authorization comes after appeals from the vaping industry and allows certain flavored vapes for adults aiming to quit or reduce their use of combustible tobacco products. An FDA memo indicated that these fruit-flavored e-cigarettes are not demonstrably more effective at helping smokers quit than tobacco-flavored options.

"I understand the goal of giving adult smokers a less harmful off-ramp, but fruit and sweet flavors are precisely what draw young people in," said Dr. Scott Hadland of Mass General Brigham for Children and Harvard Medical School. "I worry this could erode the hard-won progress that brought teen vaping to its lowest level in roughly a decade."

Nationally, approximately 6% of middle and high school students, totaling 1.63 million individuals, reported using e-cigarettes in 2024. While this figure represents a decrease from previous years, e-cigarettes remain the most common tobacco product among teenagers, with nearly 90% of young users opting for flavored products.

Health Risks and Addiction

Experts warn that vaping poses significant health risks for adolescents. Dr. Devika Rao of Children's Health in Dallas frequently treats young patients with respiratory issues linked to vaping, including asthma exacerbation, bronchitis, and more serious lung conditions. Studies indicate that teens who vape report higher rates of wheezing, shortness of breath, and reduced exercise tolerance.

Gaby Cuadra, 25, who vaped for nine years starting at age 15, described a decline in her athletic performance in high school, noting that her ability to run distances diminished as her vaping continued. "I would run out of breath," she said.

Beyond immediate respiratory concerns, nicotine addiction is a primary danger. The adolescent brain is particularly susceptible to nicotine, which can impair attention, learning, and mood regulation. "The addiction factor cannot be overstated enough," Rao stated. "Adolescent brains are primed for addiction."

While e-cigarette aerosol does not contain all the chemicals found in traditional cigarette smoke, it can emit numerous potentially toxic substances. The long-term health effects of vaping are still under investigation by researchers.

Parental Guidance and Support

To counter the appeal of e-cigarettes, experts suggest parents initiate open conversations with their children. Raising the topic by observing new vape shops or social media trends can be a starting point. Parents are advised to ask open-ended questions about what their children know regarding vaping, its harms, and whether their friends are using e-cigarettes.

If a child is already vaping, parents are encouraged to remain nonjudgmental and avoid reacting with anger. "Start open-ended conversations," Rao advised.

Social media influencers sometimes promote nicotine as a stress-relief tool, a notion that experts say is often a misinterpretation of nicotine withdrawal symptom management. Research suggests that quitting vaping can lead to reduced anxiety, fewer cravings, and a more stable mood.

Adolescents' decisions are frequently influenced by peer pressure and social trends. Experts emphasize the importance of teaching teens that they do not need to conform to peer pressure and that true friendships are not dependent on vaping habits. Younger children may be more receptive to health-focused arguments, such as comparisons of vaping to ingesting harmful substances.

Arming children with information is considered more effective than solely attempting to restrict access, as age restrictions are often circumvented. "Most teens get e-cigarettes from friends, older peers or online sellers rather than buying them in a store," Hadland noted. Ricky Resendez, 17, a recent graduate from Superior, Wisconsin, recalled starting with an older cousin's vape and later having older friends purchase e-cigarettes for him and his peers. He particularly enjoyed flavors like blue raspberry, strawberry, watermelon, and kiwi.

Resendez initially believed vaping helped him manage his ADHD, but later realized his anxiety and lack of focus were symptoms of nicotine addiction when he was not vaping. "Instead of being something that helped me, it just made things worse," he said.

Vaping also negatively impacted his stamina, sleep, asthma, and performance in sports. After facing school and parental consequences for vaping and selling e-cigarettes, Resendez joined the American Lung Association's Not On Tobacco program. He successfully quit in 2022.

Quitting Resources

Many middle and high school students who vape express a desire to quit. Parents can support this by consulting with healthcare providers, who can direct them to counseling services or free text-message quit programs designed for young people. For adolescents with heavy vaping habits, doctors may consider medications such as Chantix or nicotine replacement therapy as part of a supervised cessation plan.

Cuadra quit vaping with the assistance of the EX program, a free text-message support service developed by Truth Initiative and Mayo Clinic. "The best thing I ever did for myself was quit vaping," she said.

Resendez, like Cuadra, now shares his experiences, often asking peers about their vaping triggers and strategies for avoidance. "I tell them, like, 'I’m not here to judge you,'" he said. "'I’m here to help you.'"