- Inhalants were the most frequently reported class of illicit drugs use in the past year among adolescents age 12 (3.4%) or age 13 (4.8%).
- Combined data from SAMHSA's 2002 to 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use & Health found an annual average of 593,000 youths aged 12 to 17 used an inhalant for the first time in the 12 months prior to their survey interview.
- Among past year new inhalant users aged 12 to 15, the three most commonly used types of inhalants were: glue, shoe polish, or toluene; spray paints; and gasoline or lighter fluid. In comparison, nitrous oxide or "whippets" were the most common type of inhalant used among past year new inhalant users aged 16 or 17.