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Youth Tobacco Product Use at a 25-Year Low, Yet Disparities Persist
Current tobacco product use among U.S. middle and high school students has dropped to the lowest recorded level in 25 years according to data released in October from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). Within the past year alone, at least half a million fewer students are using tobacco products, contributing to this important progress.
In 2024, 2.25 million middle and high school students reported current use (use on one or more days during the past 30 days) of any tobacco product, compared to 2.80 million in 2023. This decline was largely attributable to the significant drop in the number of students who reported current e-cigarette use (2.13 million youth in 2023 compared to 1.63 million youth in 2024). Cigarette smoking reached the lowest level ever recorded by the survey, with only 1.4 percent of students reporting current use in 2024.
The report also found varying progress across population groups. For example, during 2023-2024, current use of any tobacco product, e-cigarettes, and multiple tobacco products all significantly declined among female students, and current use of any tobacco product, e-cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and multiple tobacco products declined among Hispanic students. In contrast, during 2023-2024, current use of any tobacco product, e-cigarettes, oral nicotine products, any combustible tobacco product, and multiple tobacco products all increased among American Indian or Alaska Native students, and current use of nicotine pouches increased among White students.
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In October, FDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the administrative seizure of approximately three million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products with an estimated retail value of $76 million. The seizures were part of a July joint operation to examine incoming shipments and prevent illegal e-cigarettes from entering the country. To evade duties and detection, most of these unauthorized e-cigarettes were intentionally mis-declared as items with no connection to e-cigarette products and with incorrect values. Products that are seized and forfeited to the government will be disposed of in accordance with CBP authorities.
The joint federal task force will continue to focus on actions to stop the illegal importation and distribution of unauthorized e-cigarette products in the United States. Violations of federal statutes can result in felony convictions, significant criminal fines, and civil monetary penalties. They can also result in seizures of unauthorized products, which can help to make illegal e-cigarettes less accessible, including to youth.
Although the NYTS results show success reducing tobacco product use and product seizures help keep unauthorized e-cigarettes off the market, continued vigilance is needed to continue to reduce youth tobacco product use. Almost 90 percent of adults who smoke daily started smoking by the age of 18, and about 1,200 youth aged 12-17 smoke their first cigarette every day in the United States. FDA has resources for parents, teachers, and other professionals who work with youth to prevent and reduce youth e-cigarette use, including:
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