Fact Sheet
Reducing Adolescent Vaping with the Truth Initiative
BACKGROUND
Adolescent vaping has become a significant public health concern. In 2021,
approximately 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students
reported using e-cigarettes (CDC, 2022). Youth who vape face increased risks of nicotine
addiction, impaired brain development, and long-term respiratory and cardiovascular
health issues. Aggressive marketing of flavored products has exacerbated this trend
(Truth Initiative, 2023).
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
National and local data indicate disparities in vaping prevalence, with higher
rates among Hispanic and Black adolescents in urban settings, such as Dallas, Texas.
These populations often face disproportionate exposure to targeted advertising and
limited cessation resources (Farrelly et al., 2017).
RISK FACTORS, PREVENTION, AND OUTCOMES
1. Risk Factors: Peer influence, social media promotion, and availability of flavored
e-cigarettes.
2. Health Outcomes: Nicotine addiction, impaired brain development, and long-term
lung and cardiovascular health risks.
3. Prevention: Early education on risks, refusal skill-building, and regulation of
product access and marketing.
TRUTH INITIATIVE’S E-CIGARETTE PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Truth Initiative is a national program aimed at preventing and reducing
youth vaping. Through multimedia campaigns like “It’s Messing with Our Heads” and
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, tools like “This is Quitting,” the program educates, empowers, and supports youth in
quitting e-cigarettes.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Media Campaigns: Deliver anti-vaping messages through social media, TV, and
online ads.
2. Cessation Tools: "This is Quitting" provides free, personalized support, showing a
40% higher likelihood of quitting among users compared to non-users.
3. Youth Education: School-based programs educate on nicotine risks and empower
students with refusal skills.
IMPACT OF THE INTERVENTION
Truth Initiative's programs have been effective in reducing youth vaping.
Campaign awareness is linked to a 3% decrease in vaping rates among teens, equating to
1.3 million fewer users from 2021 to 2022 (Truth Initiative, 2023).
OUTCOMES
The Truth Initiative’s multimedia campaigns have demonstrated measurable success:
● A 3% reduction in youth vaping during periods of high campaign exposure.
● 1.3 million fewer youth initiating vaping between 2021 and 2022.
● The cessation program “This is Quitting” has shown a 40% higher likelihood of
quitting among its users compared to non-users (Truth Initiative, 2023).
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Reducing Adolescent Vaping with the Truth Initiative
BACKGROUND
Adolescent vaping has become a significant public health concern. In 2021,
approximately 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students
reported using e-cigarettes (CDC, 2022). Youth who vape face increased risks of nicotine
addiction, impaired brain development, and long-term respiratory and cardiovascular
health issues. Aggressive marketing of flavored products has exacerbated this trend
(Truth Initiative, 2023).
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
National and local data indicate disparities in vaping prevalence, with higher
rates among Hispanic and Black adolescents in urban settings, such as Dallas, Texas.
These populations often face disproportionate exposure to targeted advertising and
limited cessation resources (Farrelly et al., 2017).
RISK FACTORS, PREVENTION, AND OUTCOMES
1. Risk Factors: Peer influence, social media promotion, and availability of flavored
e-cigarettes.
2. Health Outcomes: Nicotine addiction, impaired brain development, and long-term
lung and cardiovascular health risks.
3. Prevention: Early education on risks, refusal skill-building, and regulation of
product access and marketing.
TRUTH INITIATIVE’S E-CIGARETTE PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Truth Initiative is a national program aimed at preventing and reducing
youth vaping. Through multimedia campaigns like “It’s Messing with Our Heads” and
1
, tools like “This is Quitting,” the program educates, empowers, and supports youth in
quitting e-cigarettes.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Media Campaigns: Deliver anti-vaping messages through social media, TV, and
online ads.
2. Cessation Tools: "This is Quitting" provides free, personalized support, showing a
40% higher likelihood of quitting among users compared to non-users.
3. Youth Education: School-based programs educate on nicotine risks and empower
students with refusal skills.
IMPACT OF THE INTERVENTION
Truth Initiative's programs have been effective in reducing youth vaping.
Campaign awareness is linked to a 3% decrease in vaping rates among teens, equating to
1.3 million fewer users from 2021 to 2022 (Truth Initiative, 2023).
OUTCOMES
The Truth Initiative’s multimedia campaigns have demonstrated measurable success:
● A 3% reduction in youth vaping during periods of high campaign exposure.
● 1.3 million fewer youth initiating vaping between 2021 and 2022.
● The cessation program “This is Quitting” has shown a 40% higher likelihood of
quitting among its users compared to non-users (Truth Initiative, 2023).
2
