Smart vapes and THC vaping pose increased threats to Michigan youth and young adults

Public Health Bulletin for Health Care - January 2025

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) has brought attention to two emerging health issues impacting Michigan youth and young adults.

Smart vaping devices are becoming more popular among young people. These smart vapes can look like a phone, with screens, games and interactive reminders that incentivize users to vape.
- The devices are intentionally designed and advertised to appeal to youth and young adults; and pose an increasing threat as they can contribute to several addictions, including nicotine, screen and gambling addictions
Emergency department visits related to cannabis poisonings among those 24 years of age and younger have increased annually since 2018. Emergency medical service calls for school incidents related to vaping and cannabis use have also been increasing since 2020.
- Administration routes such as THC dabbing, accidental cannabis ingestion or THC vaping are increasing the risks for greater intoxicating effects and cannabis poisonings among youth and young adults.

Increased screening for vaping during routine health exams could help reverse these troubling trends. MDHHS is including some guidance below.

Vaping nicotine:

Youth are starting to vape at an early age. 55% of Michigan youth report they started vaping at or before 13 years of age.
One-third of Michigan high schoolers have tried vaping.
E-cigarettes containing any substance (nicotine, THC or flavoring) produce dangerous chemicals including aldehydes that can cause lung disease and cardiovascular disease.
Smart vapes have low price points that makes them more accessible and attractive to youth. They are sold for as little as $14.99 for 30,000 puffs.
Free youth and young adult vaping/tobacco treatment services are available. Learn more at My Life My Quit.

Vaping THC:

In the 1990s, THC concentrations in cannabis were around 4%. Today, THC concentrations in vapes can be as high as 95%.
Vaping THC doubles a person’s chance for becoming addicted to THC.
Among Michigan high school students who vaped a substance other than nicotine, 62% vaped THC. Vaping liquid THC products can lack the characteristic smell of marijuana, making detection of use difficult.
Cannabis use can have permanent effects on the developing brain when use begins in adolescence, especially with regular or heavy use.

Screen patients for all types of tobacco use and cannabis use, including vaping. Patients may not think that vaping is a form of tobacco or cannabis use.
Refer any young patient using nicotine to free youth and young adult vaping treatment services like My Life My Quit.
Refer patients using THC to publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services, which include treatments for cannabis use disorder. If the individual has private insurance, they should contact the insurance company to see what behavioral health coverage is available.
Remind patients and caregivers to contact their health care provider, health department or the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center at 800-222-1222 if THC poisoning is suspected. If it’s an emergency, they should immediately call 911.
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Treatment resources:

Health impact resources:

Resources for health care professionals:

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS)