In Their Own Words: Listening to Youth Voices on the Vaping Crisis

Tobacco companies have long been targeting young people with flashy ads and flavored products — and their marketing works. Over 1.6 million U.S. middle and high schoolers currently use e-cigarettes, and nearly 9 in 10 youth who vape use flavored products.

Nicotine, particularly though vaping, is often marketed as a way to relieve stress and reduce anxiety. In reality, it does the opposite. When youth depend on nicotine, the addiction can lead to a cycle of temporary symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, such as irritability, restlessness, and feelings of anxiety and depression. This cycle can be yet another source of stress.

But to truly understand the youth vaping crisis, we need more than marketing reports or statistics. We need to listen to the voices of young people themselves.

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, in partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, hosted a Youth Against Vaping writing contest. Young people (ages 13-22) from across the country shared powerful reflections on how vaping has impacted their lives and the mental health of their peers.

We are proud to share excerpts from several winners’ submissions, highlighting the urgency of this issue and the importance of youth advocacy.

Kris, 16, Indiana

Kris writes about how tobacco companies prey on young people’s emotions through manipulative marketing that creates addiction and worsens mental health while disguising harm as comfort.

“Vaping companies don’t care about your health, your future or your mental wellbeing. They care about profit, and they’ve mastered the art of marketing to make young people like us their customers for life.

“These products are designed to bypass the part of your brain that tells you to beware of whatever they are trying to sell you. It activates the part of your brain that tells you that you need to feel excitement and relief from boredom and stress, and that you belong. But, inside all that beautiful marketing, the reality is much uglier.

“I’ve seen classmates become hooked on vaping not because they chose to, but because they were misled into believing there was a harmless way to do it. That’s the genius of the marketing: It disguises poison as something playful, even comforting.

“That’s the hidden truth behind the marketing: They promise relief, but deliver chains. The mental health impact is devastating. Stress doesn’t get better, it gets worse. Quitting feels impossible, as the shame eats away at the confidence. Vaping was sold to us as a way to feel better, but in reality, it’s a cycle of dependence that keeps us anxious, restless and trapped.

“A vape-free future to me is one where companies can’t exploit our emotions for profit, where mental health is protected instead of preyed upon, and where students don’t have to fight nicotine withdrawal between classes.”

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Winnie, 15, New York

Through poetry, Winnie highlights how misleading advertising can make vaping seem appealing and safe, even when it’s harming youth.

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Chloe, 22, Connecticut

What begins as a single moment of peer pressure, Chloe says, has the potential to turn into years of addiction and regret — but quitting is possible.

“At 14, I gave in to peer pressure and let a girl convince me to try [her vape] in the school bathroom. I had no idea that one moment would begin a seven-year addiction that cost me thousands of dollars and much of my health.

“Now, at 22, still three years away from a fully developed brain, I often wish I could step back into that bathroom and stop my younger self from saying yes. Over those seven years, there was not a single benefit to vaping. It became my constant companion: I would wake up and use it, sneak away during dinner to use it, and rarely be seen without one in hand.

“Even when I had just $30, I’d justify spending half on a disposable device that was only hurting me. The health effects showed up quickly. I dealt with brain fog, nausea, shortness of breath, sharp chest pains, and a cough that seemed endless.

“Deep down I knew these were warning signs, but I clung to the ‘it won’t happen to me’ mindset. The truth is, the long-term risks of vaping are still unknown, but what we do know is already alarming.

“Today, I’m proud to say I am vape-free. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. And if I can quit after seven years, I believe anyone reading this can too.”

“Over time, I started seeing potential in people even when they couldn’t see it themselves. I realized that when I spoke from my own lived experience, it opened a door. It helped them feel understood instead of judged. That’s when I knew that what I had survived wasn’t just for me. It was something I could use to support and empower others.”

“My life experiences have shaped the way I show up in every interaction. Having lived through homelessness, addiction and mental health struggles, I understand how vulnerable it feels to ask for help. I know what it’s like to be dismissed, stigmatized or misunderstood, so I work hard to create a space where people feel safe, respected and heard.

“I don’t come with judgment or assumptions. I come with empathy, patience and authenticity. My experiences taught me that recovery is not linear, that setbacks do not erase progress and that every person deserves dignity in their healing process. The compassion I needed back then is the compassion I strive to offer now.”

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Anna, 16, Massachusetts

Anna shares how youth vaping thrives on peer pressure and misinformation — and how courage comes from speaking up.

“From seventh to eighth grade, vaping became impossible to ignore. It was all around me. Smoking was on social media, at home and even at school. There were girls in the school bathroom smoking vapes, casually offering them to me and laughing as if it were no big deal.

“Eventually, I gave in. I began vaping at the age of 13. I started vaping not because I wanted to, but because I felt shame being left out, being the black sheep among the other girls. Freshman year, something shifted in me. I realized that the people around me forced me into something that I told them I didn’t want to do. I realized that they didn’t care about me.

“I’ve seen my classmates struggle to focus in school because they’re distracted by cravings. I’ve seen classmates who sit next to me spend 20 minutes in the bathroom to soothe that very craving. I’ve seen people get anxious and irritated and experience withdrawals, all because of something they were told was a ‘stress reliever.’ What angers me most is that companies know exactly what they’re doing

“I had to learn that real bravery isn’t fitting in; it’s standing up for what you believe in, even if it’s hard. I want adults and decision-makers to listen to us. We see the impact of youth vaping every day in our schools and our communities. We need stricter regulations on flavored vapes, better education programs and safe spaces for young people to talk about peer pressure and mental health.

“To younger students: You don’t need a vape to fit in. You don’t need a cloud of smoke to cope. You are so much stronger than you think, and you’re not alone.”

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Ella, 13, Utah

Regardless of the reason someone starts vaping, nicotine addiction undermines wellbeing and isn’t worth the risk, Ella argues.

“Some people seek out vapes to distract them from problems with their own lives, while others simply try them to fit in or get a thrill. There are many different reasons why people vape, but it always leads to the same thing. Vaping can ruin the user’s life.

“You don’t need nicotine to live your life happily. A healthy body is more important than fun flavors and rushes of adrenaline. Don’t let vapes invade your safe space.”

Moving Forward

The Youth Against Vaping writing contest was held as a part of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ 100-day Take Down Tobacco campaign, culminating in the National Day of Action on April 1, 2026.

But young people are not passive victims of the vaping crisis. They’re leading the fight for change. Youth advocacy is essential for the prevention, education and stronger protections that are urgently needed.

Youth vaping is both a public health issue and a mental health crisis shaped by marketing and misinformation.

To give clinicians, trusted adults and advocates the information they need to help prevent or reduce the impact of youth vaping, the National Council will release a resource and webinar in summer 2026. Knowing the facts about youth vaping, and how young people feel about it, can open doors to productive conversations and powerful advocacy. Listening to youth is the first step to building a healthier, vape-free future.

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