Vaping in teens: how use develops and its impact on well‑being
Official title: Project 1 - Vaping Behavior, the Emergence of Dependence, and Well-being
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11326314 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A youth-focused study looks at how vaping frequency and dependence form during high school and how it relates to healthy development and well‑being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $217,710 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA269048-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326314 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adolescents aged 12–20 who vape or are at risk of starting vaping and who are willing to share information about their use and well‑being.
✕Less likely to help
Teens who do not vape or have no interest in participating may not benefit directly from this study.
What this research studies
This project follows high school students to understand how vaping behavior changes as they age and how dependence might develop. It also explores how nicotine vaping relates to physical, mental, and social well‑being during adolescence. The research combines information on how often and how intensely teens vape with indicators of cognitive, emotional, and social health. The aim is to identify factors that could prevent dependence and support healthier development. The work is designed to inform prevention approaches that can be used in schools and communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to better prevention strategies and resources to keep teens from becoming dependent on nicotine and to support overall well‑being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked adolescent vaping to dependence and varied well‑being, supporting the potential value of this approach but with ongoing need for comprehensive data.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Donny, Eric Christian — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Donny, Eric Christian
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.