West Virginia leads the nation in teen vaping: Survey

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia teens are using vapes more than any other state, according to a recent survey.

The survey conducted by Legacy Healing Center found that 27.5% of high school students in West Virginia reported that they currently use e-cigarettes. That’s nearly 10% more than the national average of 18.03%, according to a press release.

Although nationally vape usage is on the decline, teens in West Virginia still reported regularly using them at a much higher rate than any other state. After West Virginia, the highest vaping rates were in Alaska at 26.1%, Louisiana at 25.5%, Montana at 25.5% and New Mexico at 25.4%.

All other states recorded a teen vaping rate under 25%, according to the survey. The lowest teen vape rates were in California and Washington, which reported on 5.6% and 7.7% respectively. Utah was also under 10% at 9.7%.

Neighboring states were somewhere in the middle:

• Pennsylvania – 19.2%
• Maryland – 14.7%
• Ohio – 20%
• Virginia – 14.3%
• Kentucky – 21.9%

Several vape stores in West Virginia have been accused of selling to underaged teens this year, including in Randolph, Upshur and Preston counties.

According to another ranking from earlier this year, West Virginia teens also have the highest rate of soda consumption in the country.