The following is excerpted from an online article posted by MedicalXpress
A new study based on the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey has uncovered a concerning gap in how health professionals support young people dealing with mental health challenges and tobacco use.
The published research by UC Davis found that nearly half of middle and high school students reported experiencing some psychological distress—such as feeling anxious or depressed—in the past 15 days. These students were more likely to be asked about tobacco use during visits to doctors, nurses or other health professionals. However, they were not more likely to receive advice to avoid tobacco, despite being at higher risk of using it.
“This is a missed opportunity,” said Shichen Zheng, lead author of the study. “Youth who are struggling emotionally are more likely to turn to tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, as a way to cope. Health professionals can play a key role in prevention and treatment, but they need to go beyond just asking—they need to offer guidance and assistance.”
Source: MedicalXpress
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-teens-distress-tobacco.html