Current tobacco use among U.S. middle and high school students has reached its lowest level in 25 years, according to the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). Over the past year, at least 500,000 fewer students reported using tobacco products, with 2.25 million students in 2024 compared to 2.80 million in 2023. This decline is largely due to a significant drop in e-cigarette use, which fell from 2.13 million in 2023 to 1.63 million in 2024, along with a decrease in hookah use and cigarette smoking reaching record lows. “Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an extraordinary 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. “We must remain committed to public health efforts to ensure all youth can live healthy, tobacco-free lives.”
Facts
- The CDC and FDA analyzed data from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) on the use of nine tobacco products among U.S. middle and high school students.
- E-cigarette use among youth declined to the lowest level in a decade but remained the most commonly used tobacco product (5.9%).
- Nicotine pouches became the second most commonly used product (1.8%), followed by cigarettes (1.4%), cigars (1.2%), smokeless tobacco (1.2%), other oral nicotine products (1.2%), heated tobacco (0.8%), hookahs (0.7%), and pipe tobacco (0.5%).
- Progress varied by population: female and Hispanic students saw declines in tobacco use, while American Indian/Alaska Native students saw increases in multiple categories, including e-cigarettes and oral nicotine.
- White students saw increased nicotine pouch use, with no significant changes in cigarette, smokeless tobacco, heated tobacco, or pipe tobacco use across race/ethnicity groups.
While the 2024 NYTS report shows encouraging progress in reducing youth tobacco use, especially with declines in e-cigarette and overall tobacco use among certain groups, it also highlights the ongoing disparities in tobacco addiction, particularly among American Indian or Alaska Native students. The fight against tobacco addiction is far from over, and it’s important to recognize that every step toward quitting is a step toward better health. Whether you’re struggling with smoking or using other tobacco products, seeking help through counseling, support groups, or quitlines can make a difference. Quitting tobacco is one of the best decisions you can make for your well-being, and resources are available to support you on this journey.
*By increasing the reach and accessibility of smoking cessation messages, the Tips® campaign addresses health disparities and aims to promote health equity.*
Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p1017-youth-tobacco-use.html
