Teens who vape 6 times likelier to use tobacco, says study

CHICAGO, ILL. (WPVI) -- A new study says using electronic cigarettes IS a gateway to tobacco for teens.

A survey of 300 students in 11th and 12th grades showed that those who used e-cigarettes, hookahs, and other forms of vaping were over 6 times more likely use cigarettes in young adulthood than those who never vaped.

Vaping supporters have maintained there's no link between it and tobacco.

The study was published in the July 2016 Pediatrics

Last month, the FDA issued new regulations, banning the sale of vaping products to anyone under the age of 18.

Study leaders suggest follow-up studies where vaping is popular, to see if it leads to more established smoking patterns and increases in smoking-related diseases.