‘Drop the Vape’: NYC Health Department Launches Campaign Reminding Teens That Vaping Is Harmful and Free Support Is Available

Vaping Exposes People to Cancer-Causing Chemicals and Is Three Times More Popular Amongst High School Students Compared to Cigarettes

New York City Teens Who Vape Can Get Help by Visiting nyc.gov/vaping

April 27, 2026 — The NYC Health Department today launched a paid media campaign called “Drop the Vape” to help educate NYC teens on the risks of e-cigarettes and inform them that free support is available. In 2023, 14 percent of public high school students in New York City reported vaping; this is over three times as high as youth cigarette smoking. While vaping companies often promote their products as an alternative for people who smoke, the vast majority of youth who vape have never previously smoked. The campaign will run citywide in English, Spanish, and Chinese through May 23 on social media and digital platforms, as well as LinkNYC kiosks and in delis near schools and youth organizations.

Vaping can expose people to cancer-causing chemicals and toxic metals. Most vapes contain nicotine, which is addictive, especially for young people under age 25 since their brains are still developing. Today, some popular vapes contain as much nicotine as 300 to 600 cigarettes, or more. For teens, nicotine can negatively affect memory and concentration, which may decrease learning ability.

“Vape companies make their products look fun and appealing, but there are real risks for young people,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “Many vapes pack as much nicotine as hundreds of cigarettes and exposes New Yorkers to dangerous chemicals. For teens, nicotine can harm brain development, memory, and learning. It’s critical for young people to know what’s at stake and get the support they need to ‘drop the vape’ for good.”

“Vaping is taking a real toll on our students, and its effects are showing up in our schools every day: undermining their ability to learn, their mental health, and their futures,” said NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “The health and well-being of every student is at the heart of everything we do, which is why this campaign is so important. Connecting our young people with free, accessible tools and resources empowers them to make healthier decisions and truly thrive.”

Vaping can also impact New York City youth’s mental health. Anyone who is dependent on nicotine can experience withdrawal symptoms when they are not vaping. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, irritability, and depressed mood, which can worsen stress and mental health. In 2023, depression was more than twice as common among teens ages 13 to 17 who vaped (48 percent) than among those who did not vape (22 percent).

At the same time, the majority (80 percent) of high school students who vaped reported they wanted to quit. This campaign encourages young people to visit nyc.gov/vaping to learn about support and treatment options available to them.

Teens who are ready to quit vaping can:

• Sign up for free, confidential texting support to quit vaping from the DropTheVape program.
• Visit the  New York State Quitline, or call 866-NY-QUITS (866-697-8487), to talk to a quit coach for support. For young people aged 18 and over, they may also be eligible for a free starter kit of nicotine medications.

Whether or not they are ready to quit, teens can also:

• Talk to their doctor about counseling and medication options to manage cravings.
• If they attend NYC Public Schools, they can also get help through the following (where available):
  • School nurse
  • School-Based Health Center
  • Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Specialist (SAPIS)
  • Health education teacher
• Find local tobacco treatment programs on the NYC Health Map.
• For mental health support, teens ages 13 to 17 can be connected to a licensed therapist through NYC Teenspace.

“Youth vaping is a serious and growing public health issue in New York City — not just a harmless trend,” said New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Committee on Health. “These products are often marketed to appeal to teens, while exposing them to highly addictive levels of nicotine and harmful chemicals that can affect brain development, mental health, and learning. I applaud the NYC Health Department for launching a campaign that meets young people where they are, providing clear, evidence-based information and connecting teens to free, accessible support. Ensuring our young people have the tools and resources to make informed decisions is critical to protecting their long-term health and well-being.”

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MEDIA CONTACT:  PressOffice@health.nyc.gov