A new study reveals that while e-cigarette taxes successfully reduce vaping among heterosexual teens, they fail to decrease usage among LGBQ youth. Researchers attribute this disparity to LGBQ teens using nicotine as a coping mechanism for stressors like bullying, making price-based interventions ineffective for this vulnerable group.
- Disproportionate Usage: LGBQ youth currently vape at rates over 30% higher than their heterosexual peers.
- Ineffective Taxation: A $1 tax increase reduced vaping by 3-4 percentage points in heterosexual youth, but left LGBQ usage unchanged.
- The Stress Factor: Taxes only reduced vaping in LGBQ youths who did not report experiencing sadness or bullying.
Wake Forest University researchers have confirmed that state-level e-cigarette taxes do not universally reduce teen vaping. Analyzing CDC data from 2015 to 2023, the study found that economic deterrents fail to impact LGBQ youth who rely on nicotine to cope with emotional struggles and bullying.
Over the past decade, more than 30 U.S. states and numerous municipalities have implemented excise taxes on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) to combat youth consumption. In 2024 alone, over 1.6 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes.
However, research led by Wake Forest Associate Professor of Economics Erik Nesson demonstrates a stark divide in how different demographics respond to these price hikes.
| Demographic Group | Baseline Vaping Rate | Impact of a $1 Tax Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Heterosexual Youth | Standard baseline | Decreased by 3 to 4 percentage points |
| LGBQ Youth | Over 30% higher than peers | No statistically significant change |
The data, sourced from the nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Survey, points to a clear psychological barrier. For many LGBQ teens, nicotine serves as a critical coping mechanism for isolation and harassment. Because the product is used to manage severe emotional struggles, a simple price increase is not enough to force them to quit.
“We found that for LGBQ youth who did not report bullying or sadness, the taxes reduce vaping to a similar degree as among heterosexual youth,” Nesson explained. “However, for LGBQ youth who self-reported struggles, the tax had no statistically significant effect on vaping.”
The findings highlight that while raising taxes on e-cigarettes is a well-intentioned effort to protect the next generation, it is not a blanket solution. Policymakers must recognize that broad economic strategies yield uneven results, and a more comprehensive mix of tobacco control policies—likely including targeted mental health support—is required to curb use among struggling teens.
* Note on terminology: This research utilizes the term LGBQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning) to reflect the specific categories available in the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey during the study period.
