Youth Smoking Rates Plummet

Did you know that smoking among young people in the US has practically vanished? It's a huge deal, and yet, it feels like no one's really giving this the attention it deserves.

That's what Professor Ken Warner*, a veteran researcher, pointed out in a recent article in The American Journal of Public Health. He calls the drop in youth smoking "one of the great health triumphs of the present century," but notes that public health groups and the media are strangely silent about it.

Back in 1996, 30.4% of 10th graders and 21% of 8th graders reported smoking in the last 30 days. By 1997, that figure had climbed to 36.5% for 12th graders, with almost a quarter (24.7%) admitting to smoking every day – alarmingly high numbers for any time.

Fast forward to 2023, and the stats are unbelievably different. Only 1.9% of American high school students reported smoking cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days. That number gets even lower (1.1%) when looking at middle school students. Daily smoking among 12th graders was pretty much non-existent at just 0.7% – or one in every 143 students according to this survey.

Professor Warner says this drop is, "arguably the single most dramatic, and ultimately important, tobacco control achievement to date." That's pretty impressive, right?

So, what's the catch? Well, young people are now turning to e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, which is why age verification is so important both in-store and online.

Unfortunately, many still perceive nicotine as the main culprit behind smoking-related diseases. However, it is not nicotine but the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke that cause harm. While concerns exist about the effects of nicotine on developing brains, it remains crucial to emphasize that the danger lies in smoke, not nicotine itself. 

Humans have used nicotine for thousands of years, and this is likely to continue. The key is ensuring that people have access to nicotine products without inhaling the harmful smoke from burning tobacco. This approach allows for nicotine use without exposure to the toxicants in cigarette smoke known to cause harm.

From using doctors to promote cigarettes back in the 30’s and 40’s to today’s no tolerance policy regarding smoking indoors or in certain outdoor public spaces, we sure have come a long way – and this significant decrease in youth smoking is a tremendous public health achievement.

By focusing on alternatives to cigarettes and continuing to educate the public about the dangers of inhaling smoke caused by burning tobacco (to both smokers and those around them), we can build on this success and promote a balanced approach to enjoyment for many. By prioritizing education and access to safer alternatives, we can ensure the next generation never picks up a cigarette, making cigarettes a thing of the past.

*Kenneth E. Warner is professor emeritus with the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.