CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration release the following article in the journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2021

Youth tobacco remains a serious public health concern in 2021, with more than 9% (approximately 2.55 million) of middle and high school students reporting currently using a tobacco product.  E-cigarettes were the most common tobacco product currently used among students (cited by nearly 8% or approximately 2.06 million youth).

This study assessed data from the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS).  Due to COVID-19 protocols, the 2021 NYTS was administered online to allow participation at home, school, or some other place, and therefore, these results cannot be compared with previous NYTS surveys that were primarily conducted on school campuses.  Tobacco product use was higher among certain populations, such as students who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual; among students who identified as transgender; and among students who reported increased symptom severity of psychological distress.  While the current use of any tobacco product was highest among studnets who were non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black students reported the highest prevalence of current combustible tobacco product use, specifically cigars.  Importantly, approximately two-thirds of students who currently use tobacco products were seriously thinking about quitting.  However, multiple factors continue to promote product use and initiation among youth, including flavors (such as menthol), marketing, misperceptions of harm.  Parents, educators, youth advocates, and health care providers can help protect from the harms of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, can help and encourage youth to quit.

The article is available here:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/ss/ss7105a1.htm?s_cid=ss7105a1_w