The coronavirus pandemic is also motivating many young people who use e-cigarettes to quit vaping. An April 2020 Truth Initiative survey found that nearly two-thirds – 62% – of young vapers say they are more interested in quitting vaping now compared to before the coronavirus pandemic, with 57% saying they worry that their vaping puts them at risk of serious illness from coronavirus/COVID-19.
They have good reason to be concerned: Teens and young adults who have vaped may be up to five times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than their non-vaping peers, according to research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Those who reported both e-cigarette and cigarette use in the past 30 days were nearly seven times more likely to test positive and were also almost five times more likely to experience COVID-19-related symptoms compared to those who had never vaped or smoked.