The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, showing that over 6 million middle and high school students were currently using tobacco product in 2019.
The CDC survey revealed that 1 in 3 high school students and around 1 in 8 middle school students currently use tobacco products. This means that these students had used the products at least once in 30 days.
Data from the survey also indicated that for the sixth consecutive year, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among high school and middle school students, with more than 55% of the students reporting use of e-cigarettes only.
In a statement, CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said: "Our Nation's youth are becoming increasingly exposed to nicotine, a drug that is highly addictive and can harm brain development. Youth use of any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe."
The CDC also found that about a third of the students were also using more than two tobacco products, with cigars being the second most-used product, and the one used most in combination with e-cigarettes.
The report also stated that in 2019, over half of current tobacco product users reported seriously thinking about quitting all tobacco products. It pointed out that increasing successful quit attempts "could complement prevention efforts to reduce tobacco product use among youths."
It discovered that two of the largest factors in young people trying and continuing to use tobacco products were tobacco product advertising and flavored tobacco products. During the year, almost 9 in 10 of middle and high school students reported exposure to such advertisements from at least one source.
In response to the increases in youth tobacco use, the report says that "comprehensive, sustained, evidence-based tobacco control strategies, combined with FDA regulation of tobacco products, are important for preventing and reducing youth tobacco product use."
