School Use and Normative Perceptions of Electronic Nicotine Product Use Among Middle and High School Students-November 2018

Purpose: This study examined U.S. middle and high school student observations of electronic nicotine product (ENP) use in and around the school building and students' normative perceptions of use among peers. Methods: Adolescents and young adult participants enrolled in middle (n = 672) or high school (n = 962) were recruited from an online nationally representative panel and surveyed from November 2 to 15, 2018. They answered questions on observed ENP use in and around the school building as well as perceptions of use among peers. Results: Nearly one in five U.S. middle and high school students believed that at least half of their peers used ENPs. Confirming anecdotal reports, nearly six in 10 reported ever seeing someone use ENPs in or around their school, most often outside the school building and in bathrooms or locker rooms. Conclusions: The findings of this study underscore the importance of targeted prevention strategies and education efforts to prevent and combat adolescent ENP use in and around schools. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

Automated summary

The study found that nearly one in five U.S. middle and high school students believed that at least half of their peers used ENPs, and nearly six in 10 reported ever seeing someone use ENPs in or around their school. Therefore, targeted prevention strategies and education efforts are essential to prevent and combat adolescent ENP use in and around schools.