The University of Texas at Arlington, a prominent public research university with over 41,000 students, is celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025 and is recognized for its significant research activity and economic impact in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

A recent study led by Joshua Awua analyzed data from 670 college students and found that those in close-knit friend groups, where conversations about vaping are common, tend to use e-cigarettes multiple times a day.

The research highlights the strong influence of interpersonal communication on vaping behavior, indicating that college students are more likely to vape when their friends frequently discuss electronic cigarettes.

Awua emphasized the negative health impacts associated with vaping, including risks to cardiopulmonary, renal, and oral health.

The American Heart Association has labeled vaping an epidemic, with the percentage of young adults who vape rising significantly from 11.7% in 2020 to 24.1% in 2023, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Despite being marketed as a safer alternative to tobacco, evidence suggests that vaping may actually lead to increased conventional tobacco use rather than helping individuals quit smoking.

Future research aims to explore vaping-related conversations further and develop a virtual reality intervention platform designed to help young adults manage cravings and refusal skills.

The findings suggest that peer-based prevention education could be more effective in reducing e-cigarette use among young adults, leveraging the amplified influence of vaping discussions in smaller social networks.

The study also includes coauthors from Texas Tech University and Brown University, emphasizing a collaborative research effort.

Published in Addiction Research & Theory on June 11, 2025, Awua's research indicates that ongoing conversations about vaping within close-knit friend groups significantly enhance the likelihood of consistent vaping.