A new study reveals that younger generations are smoking tobacco at significantly lower rates than in the last generation.

A survey conducted among U.S. high school and middle school students indicates that the decrease in tobacco use is primarily due to a reduction in e-cigarette usage, which remains the most favored tobacco product among young people, according to the study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published on Thursday.

In 2024, it is estimated that 1 in 12 middle and high school students, or roughly 2.25 million youths, had used a tobacco product within the past 30 days. This was a drop from approximately 2.8 million students reporting tobacco use in 2023. The statistics show that around 10% of high school students reported using tobacco products regularly, compared to 5% of middle school students.

This downturn is significant, considering that during the initial National Youth Tobacco Survey in 1999, about one-third of high school students and 10% of middle school students reported tobacco use, with the main products being cigarettes and chewing tobacco, as vaping was not available at that time, said Kristy Marynak, a senior science advisor at the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health.

Even with this positive trend, Marynak emphasized to YSL News that anti-smoking campaigns must remain vigilant.

“The tobacco industry continues to market products that appeal to youth,” she pointed out. “We cannot let our guard down.”

The percentage of students smoking cigarettes has reached its lowest point since the survey’s inception, with only 1.4% of students reporting cigarette use, according to the online survey conducted with nearly 30,000 participants from January to May. Vaping has held the title of the most popular tobacco usage method for the past 11 years, with 6% of youth indicating they vaped tobacco in 2024.

However, the number of kids who reported vaping decreased from 2.1 million in 2023 to 1.6 million in 2024.

Nicotine pouches have emerged as the second most common tobacco product used among youth, with an uptick in usage among white students, the CDC report indicated. These pouches, roughly the size of a small piece of gum, contain nicotine, which is a substance known to be addictive in tobacco. They are often promoted as tools to enhance focus, according to Marynak.

Overall, 1.8% of students reported using nicotine pouches. Dr. Vinnie Mase, an assistant professor of thoracic surgery at Yale School of Medicine, stated that these pouches are becoming a popular substitute for smoking. They do not produce smoke, do not require the disposal of waste, and come in flavors like mint, citrus, and berry, leading to less regulatory scrutiny.

“They can be discreet,” Mase explained to YSL News, stressing the concern about their targeting of younger audiences: “This is an issue we need to address.”

Though overall youth tobacco use has decreased, there is an observed increase among Native American and Alaska Native youth. The study acknowledged that ceremonial tobacco use in some Indigenous cultures may influence the findings. Nonetheless, Marynak mentioned that the survey inquired about specific commercial products, indicating that the rise in usage among Indigenous youth is observed outside of ceremonial contexts.

Additionally, Black students reported higher usage rates of cigars, hookahs, and cigarettes compared to their peers.

Marynak highlighted the importance of monitoring smoking products such as cigars, cigarettes, and hookahs, which contribute significantly to tobacco-related illnesses and fatalities.

“Ongoing attention is essential to minimize all types of tobacco product use among young people,” stated Brian King, director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products, in a statement. “Addressing existing disparities remains a crucial aspect of these efforts to ensure that nobody is left behind.”