WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tobacco use among U.S. middle and high school students has reached a historic low, according to the latest findings from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). This significant decline marks the lowest level of tobacco product use recorded in the past 25 years, with at least 500,000 fewer students using these products in just the past year.
In 2024, approximately 2.25 million middle and high school students reported using any tobacco product within the last 30 days, down from 2.80 million in 2023. The largest contributor to this drop is the reduction in e-cigarette usage, which fell from 2.13 million students in 2023 to 1.63 million in 2024.
Additionally, current hookah use also declined significantly, dropping from 290,000 in 2023 to 190,000 in 2024. Notably, cigarette smoking has reached an unprecedented low, with only 1.4 percent of students reporting current use in 2024.
“Achieving a 25-year low in youth tobacco product use is a remarkable accomplishment for public health. Nonetheless, with over 2 million youth still using tobacco, our work is not finished,” stated a health official from the CDC. “We must continue our efforts to promote tobacco-free lifestyles among young people.”
The CDC and the FDA analyzed the NYTS data to evaluate tobacco product usage among U.S. students. This year’s survey results detail the use of nine different tobacco products across various demographic groups, reporting a concerning trend of persistent disparities among certain populations.
Despite the overall positive trend, youth e-cigarette use remains high; it stays the most commonly used tobacco product among young users at 5.9%. In 2024, the second most commonly used product was nicotine pouches at 1.8%, followed by cigarettes (1.4%), cigars (1.2%), smokeless tobacco (1.2%), and other products.
The report highlights uneven progress among different population groups. Female students showed significant declines in their use of various tobacco products, while Hispanic students experienced reductions in e-cigarette and hookah use. Unfortunately, usage rates increased among American Indian or Alaska Native students for several tobacco product categories.
“We are making strides in cutting down tobacco use among youth, but we need to sustain this momentum,” a representative from the FDA emphasized. “Continued efforts are crucial to reduce all forms of tobacco usage and to address disparities in tobacco product use.”
The decline in tobacco usage can be attributed to effective, evidence-based strategies implemented nationwide, including increased product pricing, educational campaigns about the risks of tobacco, and comprehensive policies that promote smoke-free environments. The FDA continues to monitor and regulate the tobacco marketplace to ensure compliance across manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
As nearly all tobacco use begins in adolescence, preventing youth tobacco product usage is vital for safeguarding public health. Addressing disparities in tobacco use is essential to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to live a healthy, tobacco-free life.
For further information on preventing youth tobacco use and supporting cessation efforts, please visit our website.
