Est. 15% of North Dakota Teens Vape, Study Finds

Parents of high schoolers across the state can now turn to a local vape drop-off event this November.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Substance Abuse

Photograph of a plain gray collection bin alone in an empty school corridor, with a window showing flat prairie landscape under pale autumn light. — Roughly 15% of North Dakota high school students vape, according to a recent statewide study, as local health officials plan a November vape drop-off event. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your community do more to curb teen vaping in local high schools?

An estimated 15% of North Dakota high school students vape, according to a recent study that surveyed students across the state. Parents and school staff in the state are seeing the issue reach younger grades, and local health officials are responding with a vape drop-off event this November.

Why it matters

Vaping among teens remains a widespread concern in North Dakota, and the products being sold are increasingly engineered to be appealing and long-lasting. Local health agencies are moving toward collection and education efforts as schools report more disciplinary cases.

A recent survey of North Dakota high school students produced an estimate that 15% vape. The advertised 100,000-puff lifespan of some disposables is described as equivalent to more than 400 packs of cigarettes, though the study's sample size and year-over-year trend are not detailed in the available reporting.

The players

Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health

A local public health agency serving Bismarck and Burleigh County that is hosting a vape drop-off event for residents.

The details

Disposable vapes are marketed at gas stations and vape shops with a wide range of flavors, and some advertise lifespans of up to 100,000 puffs. Students reportedly obtain vapes through Snapchat, which makes purchasing and distribution harder for parents and schools to track. A school resource officer in Mandan has reported that more sixth graders are being disciplined for vaping at school in recent years.

A recent study surveyed North Dakota high school students on vaping rates.
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health will host its first vape drop-off event in November 2026.

Health Landscape

Federal tobacco regulation was extended to e-cigarettes under the FDA's 2016 deeming rule, but youth vaping has remained a persistent public health concern in many states. Community-level efforts such as take-back events are one of the tools local agencies use to address products that still reach teens.

If you are a parent of a teen, the survey's 15% estimate is a reason to ask your child's school and pediatrician about vaping and to talk openly about the products they may encounter through social media. Families can also use the upcoming drop-off event to safely dispose of vaping devices at home, and it is worth discussing any concerns about your teen's nicotine use with your doctor.

The takeaway

Vaping among North Dakota teens is common enough that families and schools are both paying attention. Watch for the November vape drop-off and talk with your child's doctor if you have questions about youth nicotine use.