New York State Department of Health Announces Youth Tobacco Use in New York State Falls to Record Low

Department Releases Tobacco Control Program StatShot Report, Youth Tobacco Use Continues to Decline, One in Six High School Students Still Use Tobacco

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) today released a new report showing a continued decline in tobacco use among high school students across the state.  The report, Tobacco Control Program StatShot, High School Youth Tobacco Use Continues to Decline, One in Six Youth Still Use Tobacco, is based on data from the New York Youth Tobacco Survey.  As the Department marks the 25th anniversary of its Tobacco Control Program, this data shows that youth tobacco use has reached its lowest level ever recorded in New York State.

"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," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.  "While youth tobacco use has reached record lows, far too many young people continue to use these harmful products.  We remain committed to taking action that drives these numbers even lower and protects the health and well-being of our youth."

Key Findings:

• Any tobacco use among high school students has dropped to 17%, the lowest since tracking began in 2000.  Any tobacco use includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, blunts, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, heated tobacco products, and hookah.
• Cigarette smoking remains low, with just over 2% of students reporting current use.
• E-cigarette use has declined sharply, from nearly 19% in 2022 to about 13% in 2024, though vaping remains the most common form of tobacco use among youth.
• Use of other tobacco products, such as cigars, blunts, smokeless tobacco, heated tobacco products, and hookah, also declined, with fewer than 1 in 10 students reporting use.
• Nicotine pouch use is rising, doubling from 1.5% to 3.0% since 2022, raising concern due to their youth-appealing flavors, easy concealment, and high potential for nicotine addiction.

Despite decades of progress, tobacco remains a significant public health threat in New York.  More than 1.4 million adults in the state still smoke and disparities in tobacco use persist across communities.  The rise of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches—particularly among youth—poses a serious threat to future progress.  These products often come in youth-appealing flavors and are heavily marketed, increasing the risk of nicotine addiction among young people.  In addition, recent cuts to federal tobacco prevention and control programs threaten to undo decades of progress.  The Tobacco Control Program has established a comprehensive infrastructure that includes health communications and media, tobacco use treatment interventions, community programming, and statewide and community action.  A key focus of the program is to promote tobacco-free norms, with New York State being a pioneer in establishing strong tobacco control policies.  In recent years, the state has enacted several important policies, including raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, prohibiting the sale of flavored e-cigarettes or nicotine vapor products, including flavored products and menthol, and prohibiting tobacco product price discounting.  Many local regulations and policies have been adopted to further protect residents, such as prohibiting smoking and e-cigarette use in multiunit housing and public spaces, as well as regulating tobacco and e-cigarette retail locations.  To ensure that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to live smoke-free lives, the Tobacco Control Program provides funding to community grantees through its Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities and Health Systems for Tobacco-Free New York initiatives.  Statewide earned and paid media campaigns increase awareness of the problem of tobacco and e-cigarette use and how to get help quitting.  These hard-hitting campaigns have proven effective in changing attitudes towards smoking and encouraging people to quit.  The Program also supports New Yorkers in their quitting efforts through the New York State Quitline which provides free, confidential services, including information, tools, quit coaching, support in both English and Spanish, and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy, such as patches and gum.  The Quitline has helped over 1 million people in their journey to quit smoking.  To address youth vaping, the Quitline recently launched a new text-based program called DropTheVape, to help young people stop vaping.  DropTheVape is a free and confidential program that aims to help young people quit using tobacco products, including vapes, pouches, and cigarettes.  Participants receive daily messages along with interactive skill-building exercises to help manage stress, handle cravings, and maintain confidence in social situations.  Sign up for texts by visiting DropTheVape.org.