Fewer teenagers are using e-cigarettes, resulting in a 25-year low in teen tobacco use.

• Despite a 25-year decline in tobacco use among youth, nicotine pouches have become the second most popular product among this age group.
• Among students who use tobacco products, e-cigarettes are the most popular, with a usage rate of 5.9%.
• The surge in popularity of Zyn, the nicotine pouch brand, on social media led to a nationwide shortage, with the brand having a 68.7% market share.

The use of tobacco products among middle and high school students has decreased to a 25-year low, according to a joint announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.

The National Youth Tobacco Survey recorded data on youth tobacco product use, revealing that 2.25 million middle and high school students had used any tobacco product in the last 30 days, a decrease from 2.8 million in 2023.

The number of students reporting the use of electronic cigarettes decreased from 2.13 million in 2023 to 1.63 million in 2024.

"According to Brian King, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, we are moving in the right direction in reducing tobacco product use among our nation's youth. However, we must remain vigilant and continue to reduce all forms of tobacco product use among youth. It is crucial to address disparities in these efforts to ensure that no one is left behind."

The decline in tobacco product use among female students was the largest across the board, and Hispanic students also reported a decrease in the use of any tobacco product. Evidence-based strategies, such as price increases, media campaigns, and smoke-free policies, are likely to have contributed to this decline, according to the agencies.

The most popular tobacco product among students who use them is e-cigarettes, with a 5.9% usage rate, while nicotine pouches are the second most commonly used, at 1.8%, and cigarettes come in third at 1.4%.

The use of nicotine pouches among students increased from 1.2% in 2023 to 1.8% in 2024, although it was not enough to be considered significant, according to the CDC.

"The use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, among young people is dangerous, according to Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, the director of the CDC's office on smoking and health. It is crucial that we continue to be vigilant and committed to public health initiatives to help all young people lead healthy, tobacco-free lives."

On was the second most popular nicotine pouch brand, with a market share of 14.2%, trailing behind Zyn's 68.7%.

Earlier this year, Zyn, the oral nicotine pouch brand owned by Philip Morris, gained immense popularity on social media, resulting in a nationwide shortage. In response to the surge in demand, Philip Morris announced in July that it would invest $600 million into a new Zyn production facility in Colorado.

Among 29,861 students from 283 schools, a survey was distributed from Jan. 22 to May 22.