Youth Tobacco Use Continues to Decline, But 2 Million Still Using in 2025

A new analysis of the 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), published on June 23 in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, finds that while youth tobacco use has declined substantially since 2022, an estimated 2.01 million middle and high school students in the U.S. still report current use of at least one tobacco product.

The study examines current (past 30-day) use of any tobacco product, combusted tobacco, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches among a nationally representative sample of 23,630 students in grades 6–12. Between 2022 and 2025, reported use of any tobacco product, any combusted tobacco, and e-cigarettes decreased significantly among youth, with particularly steep declines in e-cigarette prevalence. At the same time, nicotine pouch use increased among high school students, although overall use of these products remains relatively low and has stabilized over the past year.

Among youth who currently use e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, the authors highlight ongoing concerns about frequent use and flavored products. More than 40% of students who use e-cigarettes report using them on at least 20 of the past 30 days, and two-thirds report using disposable devices. Frequent use of nicotine pouches is also common among current users, and flavored products remain widespread across both product types.

The paper was authored by researchers from FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), RTI International, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In a notable acknowledgement, the authors recognize the contributions of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) staff and the “legacy of scientific rigor, public health commitment, and collaborative excellence” that supported this work.