Young Americans Still Smoking Tobacco & Cannabis: Study

Despite the growing popularity of edibles and vapes, a significant portion of young Americans continue to smoke nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the research analyzed data from 8,722 individuals aged 12 to 34 who had used at least one of these substances in the past 30 days.

The researchers identified six main patterns of substance use among this demographic:

Combustible tobacco: 31%
Multiple forms of cannabis: 27%
Vaping nicotine: 18%
Multiple forms of nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis: 14%
Cannabis edibles only: 5%
Multiple forms of nicotine and tobacco: 5%

Lead investigator Rebecca Evans-Polce highlighted the persistent public health concern, stating, “Among those that used, combustible tobacco use and cannabis smoking remain some of the most predominant forms of use.” She warned that the 14% of users consuming multiple product types face even higher risks due to increased exposure to carcinogens and toxins. The study also noted a narrowing gender gap and higher smoking rates among Black and African American youth and young men, indicating a need for targeted prevention programs.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on youth tobacco use.

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Sophia Bennett

Author at Ecigator

Sophia Bennett has dedicated her career to monitoring and analyzing the regulatory landscape and news within the vape industry. With a keen eye for the evolving policies that shape this dynamic market, Sophia brings a critical perspective to her commentary and reports.

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