What is the Ratio of Boys to Girls Who Use Disposable Vape?

In the last few years, disposable vapes have become increasingly popular, especially among teens and young adults. Easy to use, sleek in design, and often offered in a wide range of attractive flavors, these devices have transformed the vaping landscape. But as public health experts and researchers take a closer look at who is using them, one important question arises: what is the ratio of boys to girls who use disposable vapes?

While vaping was once considered more common among males, recent trends suggest a growing number of girls are joining the scene—especially when it comes to disposable devices. This blog explores current gender trends in disposable vape use, the factors influencing usage, and what these patterns may mean for health, marketing, and regulation.

1. The Rise of Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes have become one of the fastest-growing segments of the e-cigarette industry. Designed for one-time use, these devices are:

• Pre-filled with e-liquid

• Pre-charged and ready to use out of the box

• Small, sleek, and discreet

• Available in a wide range of flavors (e.g., mango, bubble gum, cola ice, peach)

Their convenience and appeal make them especially popular among young, first-time users—many of whom are teenagers or young adults navigating peer influence, social trends, and personal identity.

2. Current Statistics on Gender and Vaping

When it comes to vaping in general, multiple studies and surveys have been conducted to assess usage across genders. Let’s look at some key findings (based on data up to 2024):

• According to the CDC’s National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) in the U.S., in recent years, male students have slightly higher vaping rates than female students overall.

• However, the gap has narrowed significantly, especially among users of disposable vapes.

• In the 2023 NYTS data, approximately:

  • 12.5% of male high school students reported using disposable e-cigarettes

  • 10.6% of female high school students reported using disposable e-cigarettes

This suggests a rough ratio of about 1.2 boys for every 1 girl using disposable vapes—a significant change from earlier years when vaping was predominantly male-driven.

In some regions, particularly in urban or more affluent areas, surveys have found even more balanced ratios, with some schools reporting equal or higher use among girls.

3. Why Are More Girls Using Disposable Vapes?

Several factors contribute to the increasing use of disposable vapes among girls:

Flavor and Design Appeal

• Disposable vapes come in sweet, fruity, and dessert-like flavors that tend to appeal more to younger users, especially girls.

• The devices are often colorful, slim, and resemble beauty or tech accessories, making them stylish and easy to carry.

Social Media Influence

• Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are filled with vape-related content, including influencer promotions, aesthetic vape videos, and lifestyle vlogs that subtly normalize vaping.

• Girls are more active on social media, and therefore more likely to be influenced by vaping trends and peer content.

Perceived Wellness and Stress Relief

• Some girls report vaping as a way to manage anxiety or stress, particularly during exams or social situations.

• The act of vaping (inhale-exhale rhythm, oral fixation) is often perceived as soothing, even without nicotine.

Discreet Use

• Disposable vapes are small and low-profile, making them easier to use discreetly in school bathrooms, bedrooms, or during social outings—attractive to both boys and girls, but particularly useful for those who want to avoid scrutiny.

4. How Do Boys and Girls Differ in Vaping Behavior?

While the gap is closing in terms of how many boys and girls vape, how they vape often differs.

Boys tend to:

• Prefer stronger nicotine levels

• Use vapes more frequently throughout the day

• Experiment with cloud tricks or “mods” in more advanced vaping setups (though less relevant for disposables)

Girls tend to:

• Choose sweeter or milder flavors

• Be more influenced by aesthetic appeal

• Use vapes more socially or casually, sometimes without nicotine

• Lean toward nicotine-free options in certain age groups

5. Regional and Cultural Differences

The boy-to-girl vaping ratio can vary by country and culture:

• In Western countries (U.S., U.K., Canada), the gender gap in vaping is much smaller than it used to be.

• In some Asian countries, male use still dominates, but female use is rapidly rising due to social shifts and marketing.

• In European markets, like France and Germany, flavor bans and strict advertising laws have led to more balanced or declining usage in both genders.

Local norms, advertising rules, education systems, and cultural attitudes about gender and smoking all play roles in shaping these ratios.

6. Marketing and Gender-Targeted Products

It’s no secret that some vape companies tailor their products with gender in mind:

• Flavors like “Pink Lemonade,” “Cotton Candy,” or “Rose Lychee” are clearly marketed to appeal to female users.

• Packaging is often color-coded or features softer designs that appeal to feminine tastes.

• Influencer campaigns often target young women specifically, using popular beauty or lifestyle creators.

This gendered marketing contributes to the growing number of girls trying vaping—not necessarily because they seek nicotine, but because the product is marketed as fun, harmless, and trendy.

7. Health Implications Across Genders

Regardless of gender, vaping comes with health risks. But there are some specific concerns for girls:

• Nicotine may affect adolescent brain development differently in females, potentially increasing the risk of long-term mood or attention problems.

• Some studies suggest that young women may become addicted to nicotine more quickly than men.

• Social stigma can also affect girls differently, leading to shame, secrecy, or guilt that may delay seeking help if addiction develops.

Boys, too, face serious health risks, particularly with heavier use. But gender-sensitive education and prevention are needed to ensure both groups understand the risks and are supported.

8. What This Ratio Means for Parents, Schools, and Policy Makers

Understanding the narrowing gender gap in disposable vape use is essential for:

• Creating targeted education campaigns that speak to both girls and boys

• Addressing social media marketing that subtly glamorizes vaping to young women

• Supporting gender-specific quit resources, especially for teens

• Recognizing that vaping is not a “male issue” anymore

Schools should be mindful that girls may be just as likely to vape as boys—and sometimes more discreetly. Parents should avoid outdated assumptions that “boys vape, girls don’t.” In reality, both genders are equally vulnerable.

The current ratio of boys to girls who use disposable vapes is nearly even, with a slight male majority in most global surveys. But the gap is shrinking fast, and in some areas, girls are catching up—or surpassing boys—in vape usage, particularly with stylish, flavored disposables.

This trend reflects larger cultural shifts: vaping is no longer just a “guy thing.” It’s a mainstream youth phenomenon shaped by social media, marketing, peer influence, and stress culture.

As such, prevention and education strategies must evolve to reflect this new reality—one where gender doesn’t determine vulnerability, and where both boys and girls deserve informed, supportive guidance to make healthy choices.