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Mapped: U.S. States With the Most Teen Vapers
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Key Takeaways
- Teen vaping rates range widely, from 5.6% in California to 27.5% in West Virginia.
- Appalachia and Mountain states (West Virginia, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming) show the highest prevalence.
- West Coast states (California, Washington) have some of the lowest rates in the nation.
Teen vaping remains a major public health concern in the United States. While e-cigarette use among teens has declined in some areas, certain states still report high rates of usage.
E-cigarette companies have faced criticism for marketing tactics that appeal to young people. Flavored options like mango, bubblegum, and cotton candy are often seen as targeting children and teens directly. In addition, accessibility remains another major concern. Even with age restrictions in place, many teens can still obtain e-cigarettes easily. Online sales and weak enforcement of regulations continue to fuel the issue.
This infographic maps out the latest data, revealing sharp differences in vaping prevalence across the country. The data for this visualization comes from the American Lung Association.
Where Teen Vaping is Most Prevalent
West Virginia tops the list with 27.5% of high school students using e-cigarettes, nearly five times the rate in California. The state is followed closely by Alaska (26.1%), Montana (25.5%), and Louisiana (25.5%). These regions, particularly across Appalachia and the Mountain West, exhibit the nation’s highest teen vaping rates.
| State | Teen Vapers (%) |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | 27.5% |
| Alaska | 26.1% |
| Louisiana | 25.5% |
| Montana | 25.5% |
| New Mexico | 25.4% |
| Wyoming | 24.2% |
| North Carolina | 23.8% |
| Kentucky | 21.9% |
| Oklahoma | 21.7% |
| New Jersey | 21.6% |
| Oregon | 21.4% |
| North Dakota | 21.2% |
| Mississippi | 20.9% |
| Ohio | 20.0% |
| Arkansas | 19.6% |
| Missouri | 19.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 19.2% |
| Indiana | 19.1% |
| Tennessee | 19.0% |
| Nevada | 18.8% |
| Texas | 18.7% |
| Colorado | 18.5% |
| Florida | 18.5% |
| Georgia | 18.2% |
| Delaware | 17.9% |
| Idaho | 17.9% |
| Rhode Island | 17.8% |
| Alabama | 17.5% |
| Maine | 17.5% |
| Arizona | 17.2% |
| Massachusetts | 17.2% |
| Illinois | 16.7% |
| South Carolina | 16.7% |
| Iowa | 16.4% |
| New Hampshire | 16.2% |
| Vermont | 16.1% |
| South Dakota | 15.8% |
| New York | 15.7% |
| Hawaii | 14.8% |
| Maryland | 14.7% |
| Nebraska | 14.7% |
| Wisconsin | 14.7% |
| Kansas | 14.4% |
| Virginia | 14.3% |
| Michigan | 14.0% |
| Minnesota | 13.9% |
| Connecticut | 10.6% |
| District of Columbia | 10.1% |
| Utah | 9.7% |
| Washington | 7.7% |
| California | 5.6% |
Low-Vaping States Cluster on the West Coast
At the opposite end of the spectrum, California reports the lowest teen vaping rate at just 5.6%. Other low-prevalence states include Washington (7.7%) and Utah (9.7%). These states have historically implemented strict anti-tobacco regulations, aggressive public health campaigns, and strong school-based interventions.
Nationally, the average state teen vaping rate hovers around 17–18%.
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