Fewer Rhode Island students say they have ever vaped, according to the 2026 Rhode Island Student Survey. The survey was taken by 16,555 students across 24 school districts, and its results point to a small but welcome decline since the previous edition in 2024. It is managed by the R.I. Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, working with state health and education officials and the University of Rhode Island.
What the survey found
The headline vaping figure moved in the right direction. Reported lifetime vaping fell from 15% in 2024 to 13% in 2026. Among high schoolers, the share reporting they had ever consumed alcohol dropped from 25% to 20%, while the share reporting they had ever smoked or vaped marijuana fell from 18% to 14%.
| Measure | 2024 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Reported lifetime vaping | 15% | 13% |
| High schoolers who had ever consumed alcohol | 25% | 20% |
| High schoolers who had ever smoked or vaped marijuana | 18% | 14% |
Read the numbers with care
Two cautions matter. First, the vaping figure measures lifetime use, meaning students who say they have ever vaped, not current or past-month use. It says nothing on its own about how many students vape regularly today. Second, the report does not specify the school level for the 15% to 13% vaping figure, so it should not be described as a high school only result.
The comparison also needs care. The 2026 survey reached fewer students than the 2024 edition, which covered more than 23,000 students in 29 districts. Five districts did not take part in 2026: Block Island, Burrillville, Foster-Glocester, North Smithfield, and Smithfield. With a smaller sample and missing districts, the two editions are not a like-for-like comparison.
What officials credit for the shift
BHDDH director Richard Leclerc credited prevention efforts for the improvement and described the results as positive trends. A two point fall still leaves 13% reporting they have ever vaped, so prevention work must keep reaching each new cohort.
Why this matters beyond Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a small state, but its survey is a useful early signal. The broader picture is mixed, as teen vaping trends vary by group and region.
For parents and educators, the message is steady rather than dramatic. Fewer students are trying vaping, alcohol, and marijuana, but experimentation has not disappeared. Keeping that conversation going, alongside clear vaping age rules, is the practical next step until the next survey.
Source: Providence Business News, “Survey: Fewer R.I. students report drinking, smoking and vaping” (published October 29, 2026).