Oklahoma young adults (18-24): 33% vape. Delaware: 8.5%. Same country, same generation, 3.4x the difference. The gap reveals something important: comprehensive youth vaping prevention programs work. And every state can implement them.
What Does Success Look Like?
Delaware's low young adult vaping rate of 8.5% is among the lowest nationwide. This success isn't luck; it's due to sustained comprehensive e-cigarette prevention programs, school-based youth education, and consistent public health investment. Delaware is a model for state-level vaping prevention success, with 3.4x fewer young adults picking up nicotine than in the highest-rate states.
Why Does Geography Matter So Much?
Young people don't choose addiction. They respond to their environment. States with funded, evidence-based vaping prevention programs, school-based education, and community support systems consistently show lower rates. The 20-point gap between highest and lowest states reflects investment choices, not character differences. Environment shapes behavior.
What Can Communities Do?
Communities that are successfully winning the fight against youth e-cigarette use follow a clear and simple playbook: early education, accessible alternatives, and consistent, honest messaging about how nicotine impacts the developing brain. These are not expensive, far-fetched solutions; they are practical, proven investments that lead to healthier futures and stronger personal freedom for our youth.
The gap between a 33% and an 8.5% youth usage rate shows us what is possible. Every state, community, and school has the power to reach that lower number. The tools and success stories already exist. We do not have to allow the next generation to inherit nicotine dependence. When we invest in our young people, they will rise to the challenge.