A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveals a decline in tobacco product use among U.S. middle and high school students, based on the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey. The survey highlights that although its overall use has decreased, e-cigarettes remain the most popular product among adolescents.
The survey shows that 10.1% of high school students, approximately 1.58 million, reported using the products in the past 30 days. Among middle school students, 5.4% or 640,000, reported similar use. In both groups, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product, followed by nicotine pouches, cigarettes, and cigars.
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In total, the number of students using any tobacco product decreased from 2.80 million in 2023 to 2.25 million in 2024. E-cigarette use also saw a notable drop from 2.13 million to 1.63 million students. The use of hookahs declined from 290,000 to 190,000 students.
While high school students saw a reduction in tobacco use, middle school students showed no significant changes. Evidence-based strategies, such as public health campaigns and smoke-free policies, are needed to further prevent tobacco use among adolescents, experts suggest.
The survey underscores the continued popularity of e-cigarettes among youth, reflecting a broader trend despite the overall decline in tobacco use. Comprehensive efforts are necessary to tackle this persistent issue, especially in light of the long-term health risks associated with nicotine exposure in young people.
