West Virginia leads the U.S. with 27.5% of teens using vapes, surpassing the national average, and facing illegal sales.
Key points:
- Current situation: In West Virginia, 27.5% of teenagers are using vapes, a usage rate far exceeding the national average of 18.03%.
- Regional comparisons: The second to fifth-ranked states and their data are as follows: Alaska (26.1%), Louisiana (25.5%), Montana (25.5%), and New Mexico (25.4%).
- Regulatory issues: Multiple locations in the state are facing accusations of illegally selling vape products to minors.
In a report on September 16, 2025, wboy.com states that according to a recent survey, teenagers in West Virginia, USA, use vapes more than in any other state.
A survey conducted by Legacy Healing Center revealed that 27.5% of teenagers in West Virginia currently report using vapes, a rate nearly 10% higher than the national average of 18.03%.
Despite a decrease in vape use nationwide, teenagers in West Virginia still report significantly higher rates of regular vape use compared to any other state. Following West Virginia, the states with the highest rates of vape use are Alaska (26.1%), Louisiana (25.5%), Montana (25.5%), and New Mexico (25.4%).
A survey revealed that the youth vape usage rate in all other states is below 25%. California and Washington have the lowest youth vaping usage rates, at 5.6% and 7.7%, respectively. Utah also has a youth vape usage rate below 10%, at 9.7%.
The situation in the neighboring states is neutral.
- Pennsylvania – 19.2%
- Maryland – 14.7%
- Ohio – 20%
- Virginia – 14.3%
- Kentucky – 21.9%
In 2025, several vape stores in West Virginia were accused of selling vapes to minors, including stores in Randolph County, Upshur County, and Preston County.
