Youth vaping decline in 2024 has reached a historic low, according to new data from the CDC and FDA. The latest National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that 1.63 million middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes this year, a significant drop from 2.13 million in 2023.
This sharp decline is part of a continuing downward trend since the 2019 peak, when more than 5 million students were vaping. Health officials are encouraged by the progress but stress the importance of continued efforts to prevent youth nicotine use.
A Steady Decline Since 2019
The overall number of youth using e-cigarettes is now one-third of what it was during its peak in 2019 when over 5 million students were vaping. The survey, conducted from January 22 to May 22, 2024, involved nearly 30,000 students. Health officials are optimistic about the progress but caution that efforts to curb vaping must continue.
Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, remarked, “These data are a good reminder that we’re making progress in terms of continued declines of the leading tobacco products used among kids. But we’ve got to keep our guard up.”
High School Students Driving the Decline
The decrease in vaping has been driven primarily by a reduction in use among high school students. In 2023, 1.56 million high schoolers reported vaping, but that number fell to 1.21 million in 2024. In contrast, the use of e-cigarettes among middle school students remained relatively stable, though King noted that middle school vaping rates have also declined since 2019.
Regulatory Efforts Contribute to the Decline
One of the key factors contributing to the decline has been increased regulatory action. Since early 2023, the FDA has issued over 1,000 warning letters and 240 civil penalties to retailers and supply chain operators who were selling vaping products like Elf Bar to underage users. Elf Bar, known for its fruit- and candy-flavored disposable vapes, has been a favorite among teens.
In addition to penalties, the FDA placed Elf Bar products on its “red list,” allowing authorities to detain these products at U.S. entry points without inspection. This crackdown has had a noticeable effect, as the number of students using Elf Bar dropped from 56.7% in 2023 to 36.1% in 2024.
King emphasized the importance of these actions, stating, “The FDA has been pummeling the retail sector with inspections and enforcement against those violating the law.”
Persistent Challenges with Flavored Vapes
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. Among young e-cigarette users, 26.3% reported using them daily, with many preferring flavored products. The most popular flavors remain:
- Fruit: 62.8%
- Candy: 33.3%
- Mint: 25.1%
Dr. Sharon Levy, chief of the Division of Addiction Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, stressed the ongoing problem with flavored vapes, particularly noting the dangers of appealing flavors like blue raspberry. “Do we really need blue raspberry vaping on the market?” she asked, pointing out that eliminating such flavors could significantly reduce usage rates among teens.
Levy also highlighted the increasing potency of vaping devices. Juul, introduced in 2015, contained the equivalent nicotine of a pack of cigarettes, around 200 puffs. Now, some products advertise 15,000 puffs, making them far more addictive. “It’s like popcorn. Before you know it, you’ve eaten all of it,” Levy said, underscoring the lack of a natural stop signal when vaping.
Rising Concern Over Nicotine Pouches
The survey also touched on the use of nicotine pouches—tobacco-free products placed between the lip and gums. In 2024, 1.8% of youth reported using nicotine pouches, which is slightly higher than the 1.5% reported in 2023. This equates to roughly 500,000 users, of whom 22.4% use the product daily.
Nicotine pouches, especially brands like Zyn (acquired by Philip Morris in 2022), are problematic because they’re often confused with nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) used by adults to quit smoking. Dr. Levy emphasized that these products are not the same as NRT and are unlikely to help teens quit nicotine. Instead, they present new challenges in the fight against youth nicotine addiction.
Conclusion
The drop in youth vaping is encouraging, but challenges remain in reducing nicotine use among teens. While the FDA’s regulatory actions have significantly impacted the market, the popularity of flavored vapes and new nicotine products like pouches still poses a threat. Continued vigilance is essential to keep these trends moving in the right direction.
