Youth Tobacco Use: 25-Year Low & Disparities
U.S. youth tobacco use has plummeted to a 25-year low, driven by a meaningful decline in e-cigarette use, according to a recent CDC report. Approximately 2.25 million students reported using tobacco products in 2024, a stark decrease from the previous year. While this marks substantial progress, disparities persist: tobacco use has notably increased among certain groups, like American Indian or Alaska Native students. Discover the latest findings from the National Youth tobacco Survey (NYTS) and see how initiatives are addressing these concerning trends; News Directory 3 provides in-depth coverage of these public health developments. Explore the data and the ongoing efforts to combat youth tobacco use. Discover what’s next …
Youth Tobacco Use Plummets to Record Low, E-Cigarette Use Declines
Updated Oct. 17, 2024
Tobacco use among middle and high school students in the United States has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years, according to the latest data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). The decline, detailed in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, shows a significant decrease in the number of young people using tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes.
In 2024, approximately 2.25 million students reported using some form of tobacco, a drop from 2.80 million the previous year. This progress is largely attributed to a decrease in e-cigarette use, which fell from 2.13 million users in 2023 to 1.63 million in 2024.Hookah use also saw a notable decline, decreasing from 290,000 to 190,000 users. Cigarette smoking among youth reached an all-time low of 1.4%.
While the overall trend is positive, the report highlights disparities among different population groups. As an example, tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes, declined among female and Hispanic students. However, use increased among American Indian or Alaska native students. White students saw an increase in nicotine pouch use.
“Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an remarkable milestone for public health. However, with more than 2 million youth using tobacco products and certain groups not experiencing declines in use, our mission is far from complete,” said Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, ph.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health.
Despite the decline in e-cigarette use, it remains the most popular tobacco product among young people, with 5.9% reporting current use. Nicotine pouches are now the second most commonly used product at 1.8%, followed by cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco, all at around 1.2%.
“We’re headed in the right direction when it comes to reducing tobacco product use among our nation’s youth,” said Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H.,director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “But we can’t take our foot off the gas. Continued vigilance is needed to continue to reduce all forms of tobacco product use among youth. Addressing disparities remains an essential part of these efforts to ensure that we don’t leave anyone behind.”
What’s next
The CDC and FDA emphasize the need for continued prevention efforts, including price increases, media campaigns, and comprehensive smoke-free policies, to further reduce youth tobacco product use and address existing disparities.