Tuesday, October 22, 2024

In The News: CDC Reports Youth Tobacco Use Has Reached a 25-Year Low

 


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the rate of youth tobacco use has dropped to its lowest level in 25 years, according to new data from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Cigarette smoking has reached the lowest percentage ever recorded by the survey at just 1.4% of students. Advocacy groups say that smoking bans, awareness campaigns, and federal regulations have been key to assist in the decrease.

However, over 2 million middle and high school students are still using tobacco - this number is down from 2.8 million in 2023. E-cigarettes are the most commonly-used tobacco products at 5.9% for teens and nicotine pouches are now the second-most common tobacco products among teen tobacco users at 1.8%.

There is still work to be done and public health efforts must continue to ensure that tobacco numbers do not go back up. Since nearly all tobacco use begins during youth, parents must communicate to their children that use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe. We want to help our youth live health tobacco-free lives.



View the CDC’s October 17, 2024 Media Release


No comments:

Post a Comment