© 2025 WEMU
Serving Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, MI
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Washtenaw County Health Department reports vaping use in younger people linked to stress

Vaping
CDC
Vaping

The number of adolescents vaping is near record highs. And the reasons why many young people vape, might surprise you.

Along with glitzy e-cigarette marketing and appealing flavors like chocolate and mint, more serious concerns are emerging for why young people choose to vape.

Communications Coordinator for the Washtenaw County Health Department, Beth Ann Hamilton says it’s not always peer pressure that’s to blame.

“Parents might think that kids might want to try vaping because they’re dealing with peer pressure, but a lot of them say that they're stressed out, and vaping helps them and feel better in the moment, which is tough because we know that, over time, nicotine and vaping can really amplify anxiety and mental health issues.”

According to the CDC, many students who vape report using e-cigarettes because they feel anxious, stressed, or depressed.

The average e-cigarette contains nicotine and chemicals known to cause cancer.

Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support.  Make your donation to WEMU today to keep your community NPR station thriving.

Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on X (Twitter)

Contact WEMU News at 734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org

An award winning journalist, Caroline's career has spanned both commercial and public media in addition to writing for several newspapers and working as a television producer. As a broadcaster she has covered breaking stories for NPR and most recently worked as Assistant News Director for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. This year she returned to Michigan to be closer to family.
Related Content