Teens with extra money to spend are more likely to buy e-cigarettes, according to a recent study from the University of Waterloo.

The study looked at how often teens use e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and both smoking methods, factoring in age, sex, racial and ethical background, family income, disposable income, and even whether they have their own own bedroom.

"We expected to find certain specific high-risk groups, but we instead found that nearly all demographic groups who had enough spending money were at risk of vaping," Battista said.

Adolescents indicated they used money from an allowance, from part-time jobs, or occasional jobs like babysitting, said Battista.

"This tells us that the spending-money risk factor is more about the adolescent's spending power, or having their own pocket money to purchase vapes than it is about their socioeconomic position or family income."

Battista said it's important for policymakers, public-health officials, and schools to understand the risk and the findings will help them develop intervention initiatives targeting those in need.

"Adolescence is a pivotal period for the development of substance-use behaviours, and students who start using e-cigarettes and cigarettes now are at greater risk for issues like dependence and health consequences later in life," Battista said.

Study authors used data from the COMPASS survey of Canadian high school students and their health behaviours.

When asked why they were vaping, 33 percent said it reduced stress, up from 21 percent in 2019. Other reasons included because the teens enjoyed it (28 percent), and because they wanted to try it out (24 percent).

About half of the teens participating in the CTNS reported getting vaping devices (55 percent) and liquids (50 percent) from friends or family rather than purchasing them.