A recent survey has revealed that tobacco use among middle and high school students has reached its lowest level in 25 years, although a concerning new trend has emerged. According to the CDC’s annual National Youth Tobacco Survey, usage of e-cigarettes, traditional cigarettes, cigars, and hookahs has declined among youths. The survey showed that overall tobacco use decreased significantly from the previous year, with approximately 2.25 million students reporting tobacco use in the past 30 days, a drop from 2.8 million the previous year. However, the survey highlighted an increase in the use of nicotine pouches.
Unlike traditional tobacco products, nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco leaves, but they do deliver nicotine, which is derived from tobacco plants. The CDC classifies these pouches as tobacco products for the purpose of the survey. Nicotine pouches are made from a powder containing nicotine and flavorings, which users place between their gums and lips. As the powder dissolves, nicotine is absorbed through the gums and mouth lining.
The rise of nicotine pouches has sparked cultural and political debates, with some conservative figures, such as congress members Mike Collins and Marjorie Taylor Greene, championing them as a cause against regulation. Despite their long presence in the market, nicotine pouches have surged in popularity over the past decade. A study noted a sales increase of over 300% between 2016 and 2020, and tobacco company Philip Morris reported a 78% rise in sales for their Zyn brand in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Nicotine pouches have gained attention beyond the political sphere. Notable figures like Tucker Carlson have made claims about their effects, but research has consistently linked tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, to erectile dysfunction due to the vascular effects of nicotine.
The survey found that nicotine pouches were the fourth most popular tobacco product among students in 2023 but have now moved to second place. This year, 1.4% of students reported using them in the past 30 days, up from 1.2% the previous year. Vapes continue to be the most popular product, although their usage declined from 7.7% to 5.9%. Cigarettes recorded their lowest ever usage rate according to the survey, followed by cigars.
The survey, conducted online each year, involved 29,861 middle and high school students in 2024. While experimenting with tobacco appears less likely to lead to habitual use, with 42.9% of students reporting having used a product in the past month, a decrease from the previous year’s 46.7%.
Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, emphasized the progress made in reducing tobacco use among youth, but stressed the need for continued efforts. He highlighted the importance of addressing disparities to ensure comprehensive progress.
The CDC survey serves as a reminder of nicotine’s broad range of health risks, including its impact on artery health, pregnancy, and brain development in young people.
