Vaping and cannabis hit record highs among young adults in 2025: Survey

August 13, 2026 - 00:28

A fresh national survey shows that young adults in the United States are using vapes and cannabis more than ever before. The findings, released this week, point to a steady climb in both habits among people in their late teens and twenties, with 2025 marking the highest levels recorded since the survey began tracking these behaviors.

The data reveals that nearly one in three young adults reported vaping nicotine in the past month, a jump of several percentage points from the previous year. Cannabis use followed a similar path, with close to 44 percent saying they had consumed it in some form over the same period. That figure edges past the old high set just two years ago, and it continues a decade-long upward trend that researchers say shows no sign of slowing.

Experts point to several factors behind the rise. The widespread availability of flavored vape products, many of which skirt federal restrictions, makes them easy to obtain and hard to resist. At the same time, the steady expansion of legal cannabis markets across the country has normalized the drug, especially in states where dispensaries are as common as coffee shops. Social media also plays a part, with influencers and peers often presenting both substances as low-risk or even beneficial for stress relief.

The survey, which polled more than 5,000 people aged 18 to 30, also found that daily use is climbing. About 17 percent of young adults vape every day, and 21 percent use cannabis daily. Those numbers are up from 14 percent and 18 percent, respectively, just three years ago. Public health officials are watching the trend with concern, noting that heavy use of either substance can affect memory, attention, and lung health over time.

What stands out most to researchers is that the rise happened despite years of warning campaigns and stricter age verification rules for online sales. Some suggest that the messaging may be missing the mark, focusing too much on long-term risks that feel distant to young people and not enough on the immediate downsides like coughing, anxiety, or the cost of a daily habit. Others argue that the real driver is simply that both substances have become deeply woven into the social fabric of this age group, from weekend parties to after-work wind-downs.

The survey authors stress that these are averages, and that use varies widely by region and education level. Still, the overall picture is clear: for today's young adults, vaping and cannabis are not fringe activities but mainstream choices. Whether that changes in the coming years depends on new regulations, shifting cultural attitudes, and perhaps the next wave of health data. For now, the records keep falling.