CDC: eCigarette Use “Erases” Gains Made in Youth Smoking Reduction

Recent progress in the reduction of youth smoking has been “erased” by a considerable increase in e-cigarette use, according to a report from the CDC.

In order to estimate current rates of tobacco use among middle and high school students in the US, a group of researchers from the CDC, FDA, and National Cancer institute analyzed data from the 2011-2018 National Youth Tobacco Surveys.

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In 2018, use of any tobacco product was reported by 27.1% of high school students and 7.2% of middle school students. Overall, 20.8% of high school students and 4.9% of middle school students reported using electronic cigarettes.

From 2011 to 2018, the use of combustible tobacco products fell significantly from 21.8% to 13.9% among high school students, while use of electronic cigarettes increased from 1.5% to 20.8%. In middle school students, electronic cigarette use increased from 0.6% to 4.9% from 2011 to 2018, while combustible tobacco product use dropped from 6.4% to 3.3%.

“A considerable increase in e-cigarette use among US youths, coupled with no change in use of other tobacco products during 2017–2018, has erased recent progress in reducing overall tobacco product use among youths. The sustained implementation of comprehensive tobacco control strategies, in coordination with Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products, can prevent and reduce the use of all forms of tobacco products among US youths.”

—Michael Potts
 

Reference:

Gentzke AS, Creamer M, Cullen KA, et al. Vital signs: Tobacco product use among middle and high school students — United States, 2011–2018 [published online February 11, 2019]. MMWR. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6806e1.