WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) has revealed a substantial decline in e-cigarette usage among the youth in the United States. According to the latest data disclosed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately half a million fewer adolescents reported using e-cigarettes in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The survey, which was conducted between January and May 2024, highlights a decrease from 2.13 million to 1.63 million youth e-cigarette users, marking a significant reduction in the percentage of students who have engaged in vaping over the past 30 days. This decline is predominantly noted among high school students, whose numbers dropped from 1.56 million to 1.21 million. While the use among middle school students remained relatively unchanged, the overall decline represents one-third of the peak levels observed in 2019.
Brian King, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, heralded the findings as a “monumental public health win,” attributing the success to intensified efforts by the FDA, CDC, and other stakeholders over the past several years. However, he emphasized the need for continued vigilance to further curb youth e-cigarette usage.
Despite the progress, challenges persist, particularly with flavored e-cigarette products, which remain highly popular among youth. A striking 87.6% of current youth users prefer flavored options, with fruit, candy, and mint leading the list. Furthermore, disposable e-cigarettes are the most common type used, with brands such as Elf Bar, Breeze, and Mr. Fog among the favorites. Notably, Elf Bar has seen a sharp decline in usage from 56.7% in 2023 to 36.1% in 2024, following stringent FDA compliance actions, including warning letters, penalties, and import alerts.
The survey also indicated a minor rise in nicotine pouch usage, although the change was not statistically significant. Mint, fruit, and menthol flavors are predominant in this category as well, raising concerns about the appeal of flavored products.
Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, underscored the importance of ongoing public health initiatives, stressing that “youth use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe.”
As the FDA and CDC continue to monitor the landscape, the report serves to highlight the effectiveness of regulatory measures and highlights the critical need for sustained efforts to safeguard the health of America’s youth from tobacco-related harms.
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