CHARLOTTE -- An uptick in tobacco useage has doctors alarmed, but not surprised. Recent data from the NC Youth Tobacco Survey of 6300 youth shows 19.5 percent of Western North Carolina high schoolers use e-cigarettes.

• Price drops, flavor options, and social acceptance have helped drive e-cigarette popularity
• Half of the high schoolers polled reported using more than one tobacco product
• The makers of one popular device, said they're pledging $30 million over the next three years to research and youth education

Teens said price drops, flavor options, and social acceptance has helped to drive smokeless tobacco's popularity.

Dr. Jaspal Singh, from Atrium Health, states that there needs to be a bigger conversation between the medical community and patients about the issue.

"Open it up, create a safe space to talk about it. Get at the underlying causes. What is it meeting? What need is it meeting for them,” said Dr. Singh.

The survey also showed half of the high schoolers polled reported using more than one tobacco product.

"We don't know exactly what's in them but we feel like its safer than smoking real cigarettes,” remarked one teen.

Juul Labs, the makers of one popular device, said they're pledging $30 million over the next three years to research and youth education. They also support legislation put in place to stop minors from purchasing their product.