The teen smoking rate has been declining for years, but 2024 marks a historic drop in teen smoking and the use of tobacco in general. According to a CDC report, the number of teens using at least one tobacco product declined by 20% to 2.25 million. Experts note that while this is a big win for public health, there’s still room for improvement. 

Youth Tobacco Use Falls to New Low

The number of teens using tobacco products dropped from 2.8 million in 2023 to 2.25 million in 2024, a 20% decline that brings teen tobacco use to the lowest tally ever. The CDC first began tracking youth tobacco product use in 1999. Back then, nearly 30% of high school-aged youths smoked. Today, the youth smoking rate is just 1.7%, and the middle school rate also hit its lowest-ever level. 

Tobacco use has also dropped across other categories. Vaping declined 2 points to 8%, while e-cigarette use fell 1.7% to below 6%. 

About the Study

The CDC survey reaches 30,000 middle and high school students in 283 schools. The response rate was approximately 33%. Tobacco use isn’t even among demographics and rose year-over-year among American Indian and Alaska Native students. Among white kids, nicotine pouch use increased compared to 2023. 

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