Teen tobacco use has fallen to historic lows in 2024, with fewer than 8% of U.S. middle and high school students using products like e-cigarettes, cigarettes and hookahs, according to the CDC.
Mike Stobbe reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Tobacco use among U.S. teens dropped by 20% in one year, down to 2.25 million users.
- E-cigarette use fell to under 6%, the lowest in a decade, though nicotine pouch use increased among white students.
- Public health measures, price hikes and stricter regulations have been credited for the decline.
Key quote:
“Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an extraordinary milestone for public health.”
— Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health
Why this matters:
Youth tobacco use is a significant public health issue, linked to long-term health risks. The decline signals progress but disparities remain, particularly among American Indian and Alaska Native students.
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