By Manojna Maddipatla

(Reuters) – An estimated 2.06 million U.S. middle and high school students are using electronic-cigarettes with Juul and Vuse among the most popular products, according to data from a 2021 survey analyzed by health officials.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (CDC), the data showed that the number of students using potentially addictive nicotine devices has declined from 3.6million in 2020.

Authors of the study warned that online surveys are not comparable to classroom-based studies from previous years.

Children and teens are increasingly using ecigarettes. This is a serious public health problem. Health regulators questioned the makers of these devices for targeting youth marketing and for concerns about a potential new generation becoming addicted to nicotine.

The manufacturers claim that these products aid in quitting smoking.

According to a survey that was conducted between Jan. 18 and May 21, Puff, Vuse and SMOK were the top e-cigarette brands in high school. Juul and Puff were the most loved among middle schoolers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this month delayed its decision https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-ask-more-time-before-deciding-juul-e-cigarettes-2021-09-09/#:~:text=Healthcare%20%26%20Pharmaceuticals-,U.S.%20FDA%20says%20it%20needs%20more%20time,on%20Juul%2C%20other%20e-cigarettes&text=A%20federal%20judge%20set%20a,while%20the%20agency%20reviewed%20applications on whether Juul and other major manufacturers, including British American Tobacco (NYSE:) Plc’s Vuse, can sell their products in the United States as it decides whether the products provide a net benefit to public health.

The survey data revealed that 85% of young e-cigarette smokers use flavored products, with sweets such as fruit and desserts.

The survey revealed that disposables were the most popular device type among current high school and middle school users of e-cigarettes. Next came refillable or prefilled pods, cartridges, tanks, or mod systems.