Screening for Adolescent Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are a new form of tobacco and marijuana administration that obscures the dangers of substance use and can be appealing to adolescents with a multitude of adolescent appeals and the use of electronic technology. As adolescent incidence of ENDS uses increases, health providers stand to lose ground with the past successes of tobacco- and substance-related health promotion as adolescents are initiated with the new technology. These risks identify the need for quality screening or the specific inclusion of ENDS products into our established screening methods. In addition, those who screen positive are provided quality interventions, such as motivational interviewing, that are effective and developmentally appropriate. By increasing our knowledge of ENDS, including them specifically in our regular screenings, and supporting adolescents in positive health choices, successful aversion of lifelong health risks can be overcome.