New York Youth Tobacco Use at Record Low; Vaping Declines

Youth tobacco use in New York State has fallen to its lowest level ever recorded, according to a new report from the State Department of Health. The “Tobacco Control Program StatShot,” based on data from the New York Youth Tobacco Survey, shows that overall tobacco use among high school students has dropped to 17%. This significant public health achievement is being highlighted as the Department marks the 25th anniversary of its comprehensive Tobacco Control Program.

“The decline in tobacco use among our youth represents a major public health achievement and underscores the power of strong tobacco control policies and prevention efforts,” stated State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. However, he cautioned, “While youth tobacco use has reached record lows, far too many young people continue to use these harmful products.”

Key Findings from the Report:

Overall Tobacco Use: Any tobacco use (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pouches, cigars, etc.) among high school students dropped to 17%, a record low since tracking began in 2000.
Cigarette Smoking: Use of traditional cigarettes remains low, with just over 2% of students reporting current use.
E-Cigarette (Vaping) Use: Vaping has seen a sharp decline, falling from nearly 19% in 2022 to about 13% in 2024. Despite this drop, vaping remains the most common form of tobacco/nicotine use among youth.
Nicotine Pouch Use: A concerning trend is the rising popularity of nicotine pouches. Use of these products has doubled since 2022, from 1.5% to 3.0%. Officials are worried due to their youth-appealing flavors, easy concealment, and high potential for nicotine addiction.

Despite this progress, tobacco remains a significant public health threat in New York, with over 1.4 million adults still smoking. The rise of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, often heavily marketed with youth-appealing flavors, poses a serious threat to future progress. The report also notes that recent cuts to federal tobacco prevention and control programs could risk undoing decades of work.

New York’s success is attributed to its comprehensive Tobacco Control Program, which includes media campaigns, community programming, and strong policies. In recent years, the state has raised the minimum purchase age for tobacco products to 21, prohibited the sale of all flavored e-cigarettes (including menthol), and banned tobacco product price discounting. Many local municipalities have also adopted stricter regulations on public use and retail locations.

To support cessation efforts, the state provides funding to community grantees and runs hard-hitting media campaigns. The New York State Quitline offers free, confidential services, including coaching and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). To specifically address youth vaping, the Quitline has launched a new text-based program called “DropTheVape” to help young people quit all forms of nicotine products.

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Matthew Ma

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With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.