Sources of e-cigarettes

In 2018-19, when students in grades 7-9 who reported vaping in the past 30 days were asked where they usually got their ‘e-cigarettes and supplies (vape, vape pen, tank & mod, e-juice)’, most reported obtaining them from social sources (Figure 12.7). Nearly half reported being given e-cigarettes by a friend, and approximately one in five reported someone buys for them. Few reported purchasing e-cigarettes, but the most common purchase place was vape shops (7.6%), followed by online (6.0%).

Bar chart showing usual sources of e-cigarettes and supplies among students in grades 7 to 9 who reported vaping in the past 30 days, from 2018 to 2019. Trends described in text. Data table below with 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 12.7 Data table with 95% confidence intervals
Figure 12.7: Usual sources of e-cigarettes and supplies among students in grades 7-9 who reported vaping in the past 30 days, 2018-19
Source % of respondents
Buy from vape shop 7.6 [6.1-9.2]
Buy from convenience store 1.5 [0.-7-2.3]
Buy online 6.0 [4.8-7.2]
Ask someone to buy for me 21.7 [18.3-25.2]
Friend gives them to me 45.3 [41.5-49.2]
Family member gives them to me 7.7 [6.5-8.9]
Someone else gives them to me 9.2 [7.5-10.9]
Use a family member's (without permission) 3.4 [2.2-4.5]
Use someone else's (without permission) 1.6 [0.9-2.3]
Other 12.1 [9.9-14.4]

Note: Respondents could select multiple sources.
Data source: Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey, 2018-19.