This year, there are half a million fewer school-aged children who are vaping compared to last year, marking a significant achievement for health officials who have long warned about the dangers associated with these nicotine devices.

The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey reveals that 1.63 million school-age youth reported using e-cigarettes at least once in the past month, down from 2.13 million the previous year. There has been a notable drop in teen vaping since it peaked in 2019, when over 5 million school-age kids stated they used these devices, prompting the FDA to impose restrictions.

This year’s survey, which was conducted from January 22 to May 22, indicated that 7.8% of high school students and 3.5% of middle school students had used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days.

Additionally, the survey indicated an increasing trend in the use of nicotine pouches among teens, products available under brands such as Zyn and Rogue. The findings showed that 1.8% of school-age kids have used nicotine pouches in the last month, a slight rise from the 1.5% who used them the previous year. About 500,000 school-aged children used nicotine pouches in the past month, more than double the 200,000 youth users reported in 2021. Among those using nicotine pouches, Zyn was the favored brand, followed by on!, Rogue, Velo, and Juice Head ZTN. Over 85% of pouch users expressed a preference for flavored options.

The significant reduction in teen vaping is a major point of encouragement for health professionals.

Brian King, the director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, described the decline in teen vaping rates as a “monumental win.”

“However, we must remain vigilant, as further efforts are required to decrease youth e-cigarette usage,” King stated.

Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, commended the youth vaping rates achieving their lowest point in a decade.

“This is a hopeful indication that people are becoming more aware of the risks associated with these products for youth and how some marketing strategies are aimed at our children,” Becerra noted.

Concerns: Illegal vapes and nicotine pouches need attention

While tobacco prevention advocates celebrate the decline in teen vaping, they express ongoing concerns regarding the habitual users of these devices. Among those who vape, 42% of high school users and 27% of middle school users indicated that they vape frequently or daily. These users may be consuming products that contain high levels of nicotine. Some research has shown that nicotine concentrations in disposable e-cigarettes have nearly tripled from 2017 to 2022.

Despite the decrease in users, youth vaping in the U.S. continues to represent a significant public health concern, particularly due to an industry that is persistently exploring new methods to addict young people, according to Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

“We must not let our guard down with over 1.6 million children still using e-cigarettes; 42% of high school users reporting frequent or daily use is a strong sign of addiction to the high-nicotine products now available,” Richardson remarked.

She urged the FDA and other federal bodies to enhance enforcement measures to eliminate unauthorized vaping devices from the market. According to Richardson, the FDA has approved the marketing of less than 36 e-cigarette products, while thousands of unapproved items remain accessible to consumers.

Richardson suggested that the appeal of nicotine pouches to young users could be attributed to their mint and fruit flavors that resonate with kids, along with extensive promotion on social media platforms. She urged the FDA to diligently monitor these products and implement measures to avert underage usage.