More than 1 in 10 youth report current tobacco use, CDC announced
Nov 10, 2022, 2:44 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2023, 12:40 pm
More than 1 in 10 middle and high school students (3.08 million) had used a tobacco product during the past 30 days - including 16.5% of high school and 4.5% of middle school students. (HHS, FDA)
(HHS, FDA)
SALT LAKE CITY — The CDC and FDA released a study that found 3.08 million, or 11.3% of middle and high school students reported using a tobacco product in the past 30 days.
The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that 2.51 million, or 16.4% of all high school students reported use, as well as 530,000, or 4.5% of middle school students.
While the numbers have been going down, 2022 is the ninth consecutive year in which e-cigarette use was leading youth tobacco use numbers.
“It’s clear we’ve made commendable progress in reducing cigarette smoking among our nation’s youth. However, with an ever-changing tobacco product landscape, there’s still more work to be done,” said Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products.
More than a quarter of youth e-cigarette users reported vaping daily, and nearly half reported vaping at least 20 of the last 30 days, according to the FDA.
The results also revealed that the most popular use for e-cigarettes by youth was for the fruity flavors.
The use of any tobacco product by youth is dangerous and we know that flavors remain one of the top reasons youth use commercial tobacco products.
— American Lung Association (@LungAssociation) November 10, 2022
On Tuesday, voters in California voted to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products.
California voters have delivered a resounding victory for kids over Big Tobacco by upholding CA's landmark law ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigs, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. pic.twitter.com/TnYmi5Fw60
— Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (@TobaccoFreeKids) November 9, 2022
“By addressing the factors that lead to youth tobacco product use and helping youth to quit, we can give our nation’s young people the best opportunity to live their healthiest lives,” said Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health.
Commercial tobacco product use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death among adults in the United States. Youth use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe, and nearly all tobacco use begins during youth and young adulthood. (CDC)
To learn more about preventing youth tobacco product use and supporting youth to quit, visit:
• Youth and Tobacco Use | CDC
• Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults | CDC
• The Real Cost Campaign | FDA
• Vaping Prevention Resources | HHS.gov
• Smokefree Teen (National Cancer Institute)
This study’s findings, published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, were based on data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS)
