Vaping: Montana Makes Top 5 States For This Shocking Statistic

You know how fads come and go with kids? One day it’s Crocs and Stanley cups, the next it’s Fortnite and weird TikTok dances. But every generation seems to have that one trend that isn’t so innocent. Back in the day, it was cigarettes. Then came years of anti-smoking campaigns, and it looked like things were turning around. But now, there’s a new habit climbing the charts in all the wrong ways. Vaping.

According to the American Lung Association, Montana teens are picking up vapes at an alarming rate. Montana tied for third place nationwide, with 25.5% of high school students reporting that they currently use e-cigarettes. That’s one in four teens here in Big Sky Country. For comparison, West Virginia topped the list at 27.5%, followed by Alaska at 26.1%. Louisiana joins Montana in that third-place spot, and New Mexico rounds out the top five at 25.4%.

Vaping was originally sold as a “safer alternative” to smoking, but that’s proving to be a dangerous misconception. Most e-cigarettes still contain nicotine. Experts say nicotine can change the way teenage brains develop, leading to memory issues, anxiety, and a higher likelihood of picking up smoking later in life. Not to mention, a lot of these vape pens look like flash drives or pens, making them hard for parents and teachers to spot.

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The good news? A few states, like California and Washington, have seen success with strong anti vape campaigns and tighter store enforcement. Maybe it’s time for Montana to follow suit before vaping becomes more than just another teenage fad.