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Oklahomans Vape More Than Anyone Else, Study Says

Lindsay Fox / EcigaretteReviewed.com

Newly published research suggests that more than 10 percent of Oklahomans vape–the highest rate in the country.

Researchers at the New York University School of Medicine found that states with strong tobacco-control laws, like smoke-free air rules and taxes on cigarettes have fewer e-cigarette users.

The study’s lead author Omar El-Shahawy says Oklahomans are more likely to try e-cigarettes because smoking is socially acceptable and allowed in a lot of locations.

"Once you have good tobacco policies in place, it’s going to deter use of those products, so Oklahoma is really lagging behind if you compare it to other states in the U.S."

E-cigarettes contain nicotine and heavy metals but remain largely unregulated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that smoking costs Oklahomans more than $1 billion in health care costs every year.

Jackie Fortiér worked for StateImpact Oklahoma from November 2017 to January 2020, reporting on a variety of topics and heading up its health reporting initiative. She has many journalism awards to her name during her years of multi-media reporting in Colorado, and was part of a team recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with a Sigma Delta Chi award for excellence in breaking news reporting in 2013.
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