Chasing Life Why Teens Just Can't Quit Nicotine
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Oct 24, 2025 Dr. Pamela Ling, Director of the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to examine the shifting landscape of teen nicotine use. They discuss the rise of nicotine pouches like ZYN and how clever marketing is drawing teens in. Ling explains the health risks of vaping and the importance of understanding nicotine's addictiveness. Parents can play a role by having open, nonjudgmental conversations with their kids about these products and advocating for stronger regulations.
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Family Talk About Early Vaping
- Dr. Sanjay Gupta recounts talking to his daughters about vaping before his youngest was a teenager.
- That family conversation illustrates how early nicotine exposure appears in kids' lives.
Decline In Vaping Masks New Risks
- Teen vaping dropped from 27.5% in 2019 to 7.8% in 2024, showing a major decline.
- Despite that, new nicotine products like Zyn pouches rose quickly in 2024, shifting the problem.
Industry Minimizes Nicotine's Power
- Teenagers generally know nicotine is addictive but industry messaging downplays its severity.
- Big tobacco has long compared nicotine to harmless substances to minimize perceived risk.