From Smoke Clouds to Vape Clouds: A Study of Substance Use and Delinquency

The \u27vaping epidemic\u27 has incurred at least 12 deaths and 805 injuries so far. Overall, research on vaping has been substantially limited, primarily in the context of vaping and delinquency. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations between vaping and smoking and the various kinds of delinquent acts. Using secondary data from Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of the Lifestyles and Values of Youth conducted in 2017, with a sample size of 21,188 participants, we find that youth \u27vapors\u27 were associated with less delinquency than youth smokers(cigarettes); however, youth \u27vapors\u27 were associated with more delinquency than alcohol users. Finally, young people who vape were more likely to report smoking and drinking alcohol. We interpret these results in the context of social bonding and social learning theory and policies to create awareness on the potential dangers of vaping.https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/urssocant/1001/thumbnail.jp