Youth Cigarette Smoking Rate Hits 25 Year Low, But 2.25 Million Youth Still Use Tobacco Products
October 17, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The results of the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) released today show that the youth smoking rate fell to 1.4% overall, the lowest rate in 25 years since the survey was first administered in 1999. Cigarette smoking fell to 1.7% among high school students and 1.1% among middle schoolers. The number of high school students who reported any tobacco product use also reached a record low, falling from 12.6% in 2023 to 10.1% in 2024. The use of e-cigarettes fell from 10% to 7.8%. However, the use of nicotine pouches among high school students increased from 1.7% to 2.4%, the only category that saw an increase in use.
Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, issued the following statement:
It is terrific news that the youth cigarette smoking rate and overall tobacco use have fallen to a 25-year low. This is a remarkable public health success story that will save lives for generations to come. These results are powerful evidence that, with the right policies and consistent public education campaigns, we can drive down and even eventually eliminate youth use of all tobacco products. Survey results document a long-term trend that has seen smoking rates among high school students fall from a high of 34.5% in 2000 and clearly shows that we can reduce youth tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, without a resurgence in cigarette smoking.
While the progress is undeniable, 2.25 million youth still report current use of a tobacco product and e-cigarette use continues to remain a serious public health problem in the United States. Tobacco use remains far higher among certain subpopulations, such as American Indian and Alaska Native youth. We cannot let down our guard. The tobacco industry will continue to find new ways to attract and addict kids and over 1.6 million kids still use e-cigarettes and 42% of high school users report frequent or daily use, a strong indication they are addicted to the high-nicotine products now on the market. Nicotine levels in e-cigarettes have skyrocketed in recent years, and the latest products contain as much nicotine as 20 packs of cigarettes or more, putting kids at risk of rapid and severe addiction. E-cigarette companies continue to find ways to appeal to youth with their highly addictive products and have even introduced products with built-in video games.
To accelerate progress and reduce disparities, state and local officials should implement proven strategies like higher tobacco taxes, comprehensive smoke-free laws, well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs that include mass media campaigns and flavored tobacco product restrictions. The FDA, the Department of Justice and other relevant federal agencies must step up their enforcement efforts to clear the market of all illegal e-cigarettes. To date, the FDA has authorized the sale of only 34 e-cigarette products, but thousands of illegal, unauthorized products remain on the market.
While today’s survey shows that we have made tremendous progress in reducing youth tobacco use in nearly every category, it is disturbing to see that the use of nicotine pouches has increased. Nicotine pouch products, like Zyn, have also seen a rapid increase in sales as well. While youth use of these products remains relatively low, the total number of youth using nicotine pouches has increased from 200,000 in 2021 to 480,000 in 2024. Nicotine pouches have the same characteristics that made e-cigarettes so appealing to young people, including kid-friendly flavors, heavy promotion on social media and being easy to hide. The FDA must continue to closely monitor these products and take action to prevent youth use.