On September 5, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released a pivotal report highlighting a significant decline in teen vaping. According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) data, teen e-cigarette use has dropped to its lowest point in ten years, with 500,000 fewer teens using e-cigarettes compared to the previous year. This milestone represents major progress in the ongoing battle to reduce youth nicotine addiction.
Key Findings from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey
The 2024 NYTS, conducted from January 22 to May 22, gives an up-to-date view of tobacco product use among middle and high school students in the U.S. The data reveals several key points regarding both e-cigarette and nicotine pouch consumption:
- Teen Vaping Decline 2024: In 2024, 1.63 million students (5.9%) reported vaping in the past 30 days, a sharp decrease from 2.13 million (7.7%) in 2023.
- High School vs. Middle School Usage: The most significant drop occurred in high school students, from 1.56 million to 1.21 million users. Middle school usage remained relatively stable.
- Vaping Decline Since 2019: This year’s figures represent only one-third of the peak levels in 2019, when over 5 million teens were actively using e-cigarettes.
Public Health Victory
Public health experts consider this declining trend a major victory. Dr. Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, hailed the data as evidence of successful regulatory efforts, stating, “The continued decline in youth e-cigarette use is a major public health success.”
However, the battle isn’t over. Despite the progress, around 26.3% of current youth e-cigarette users report daily use, indicating that vaping remains a persistent habit for many teenagers.
Flavored E-Cigarettes Still Popular in 2024
In 2024, 87.6% of current youth vapers favored flavored e-cigarettes, with the most popular flavors being:
- Fruit: 62.8%
- Candy/Dessert: 33.3%
- Mint: 25.1%
Among the most-used brands are Elf Bar, Breeze, Mr. Fog, Vuse, and JUUL. Interestingly, Elf Bar’s market share has dropped dramatically from 56.7% in 2023 to 36.1% in 2024, largely due to the FDA’s enforcement actions aimed at unauthorized products.
FDA’s Enforcement and Compliance Efforts
The decline in Elf Bar’s market dominance underscores the effectiveness of the FDA’s crackdown on non-compliant vaping products. In 2023, the FDA issued over 1,000 warning letters and 240 civil penalties to retailers and distributors, focusing on unauthorized products. This pressure has reduced teen access to popular flavored e-cigarettes.
Elf Bar, in particular, was placed on a “red list” allowing customs to detain shipments at the border. These efforts reflect a comprehensive strategy to combat the youth vaping epidemic.
Nicotine Pouches: A New Emerging Threat
While teen vaping has decreased, the use of nicotine pouches among youth remained relatively unchanged between 2023 and 2024. Approximately 500,000 students are reported to use nicotine pouches, with 22.4% of these users consuming them daily.
Flavored nicotine pouches, like mint (53.3%), fruit (22.4%), and menthol (19.3%), are particularly popular. Leading brands include Zyn, on!, and Rogue.
Dr. Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, warned, “Any tobacco product is unsafe for teenagers, including nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. Vigilance is key in keeping our youth smoke-free.”
The Fight Continues: Combating Youth Vaping in 2024
Despite the remarkable decline in teen vaping rates, the FDA and CDC stress the importance of continued vigilance. The popularity of flavored products among teens remains a significant concern. Dr. King emphasized the FDA’s commitment to monitoring youth nicotine use trends, particularly the rising appeal of nicotine pouches.
Looking forward, public health initiatives will focus on educational campaigns, stricter enforcement, and monitoring sales trends to maintain this downward trajectory.
FAQs
Why is teen vaping declining in 2024?
This reduction is attributed to stricter FDA regulations, including increased penalties for non-compliance, and educational efforts aimed at reducing youth access to e-cigarettes.
What brands are most popular among teens in 2024?
Brands like Elf Bar, Breeze, Mr. Fog, Vuse, and JUUL lead the market, though Elf Bar’s share has dropped due to FDA actions.
What role do flavors play in teen vaping?
Flavored e-cigarettes are highly attractive to youth, with over 87% of teen vapers preferring flavors like fruit, candy, and mint.
What’s the difference between e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches?
Nicotine pouches don’t involve inhalation and are placed under the lip. They’ve grown in popularity, especially due to appealing flavors.
How is the FDA combating teen vaping?
The FDA’s efforts include issuing warnings, fines, and placing non-compliant products on import alerts to reduce teen access to these products.
What more can be done to stop teen vaping?
Continued education, enforcement of regulations, and close monitoring of trends are essential to further reduce vaping rates among teens.
