Youth vaping remains a serious challenge as Clark County students return to school

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Health District encourages families, educators and community members to talk with youth about the risks of e-cigarettes

As students prepare to return to classrooms across Clark County next week, new data show youth vaping remains a significant public health concern. Nearly one-third of Clark County high school students have tried e-cigarettes, according to the latest Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Survey, underscoring the need for parents, educators and community members to talk with young people about the risks of nicotine and vaping.

The Southern Nevada Health District is encouraging families to start conversations early, recognize the signs of vaping and take advantage of resources that can help prevent nicotine addiction among youth.

According to the 2025 Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 31% of Clark County high school students and 17% of middle school students have tried e-cigarettes. In addition, 12% of high school students and 8% of middle school students reported using e-cigarettes during the past 30 days.

E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Like all tobacco products, e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that can affect brain development and impair attention, learning, mood and impulse control.

“Many young people may not realize that vaping products contain nicotine or understand how addictive these products can be,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District. “Parents, teachers, healthcare providers and community partners all play an important role in helping young people understand the risks of vaping and making informed decisions that protect their health.”

Most tobacco use begins during adolescence, when young people can be influenced by peer pressure, tobacco marketing and easy access to nicotine products. Among Clark County students who reported using e-cigarettes, the most common source was friends, family members or someone else. Sixty percent of high school students and 59% of middle school students said they obtained a vape that way, underscoring the important role families and communities play in preventing youth access to vaping products.

Marketing and online exposure also contribute to youth interest in vaping products. Social media platforms, product placement and depictions of tobacco and nicotine use in entertainment aimed at younger audiences can influence behavior. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of students reported seeing e-cigarette-related content on social media. Research also shows teens who viewed tobacco- or nicotine-related content on TikTok at least weekly had three times the odds of currently using e-cigarettes.

Disposable vaping devices remain the most commonly used type of e-cigarette among U.S. youth who currently vape, accounting for 55.6% of reported use. Popular brands reported among youth include Geek Bar, Elf Bar and Lost Mary.

Access to tobacco retailers also remains a concern. About 35% of Las Vegas public schools are within 1,000 feet of a tobacco retailer, highlighting the need for continued prevention, education and enforcement efforts to reduce youth access to nicotine products.

Parents and caregivers can help prevent youth vaping by talking openly with children about the risks of nicotine, asking questions about what they see and hear from friends and online, and recognizing signs that a young person may be using e-cigarettes. Schools and community organizations also play an important role by providing education, support and resources that help young people make healthy choices.

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