The vaping rate among middle and high school students has reached its lowest level in a decade, according to the latest data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey. The survey, conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that only 5.9 percent of middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days in 2024. This marks a significant decrease from 7.7 percent in 2023 and a staggering 20 percent in 2019.
The report also highlighted a decline in current e-cigarette use among high school students, dropping from 10 percent in 2023 to 7.8 percent in 2024. However, there were no significant changes observed for e-cigarette use among middle school students during the same period. The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey surveyed a total of 29,861 middle and high school students from 283 schools between January 22 and May 22.
Brian King, the director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, hailed the decrease in youth e-cigarette use as a “monumental public health win” but emphasized the need for continued efforts to further reduce vaping among young people. While some research suggests that e-cigarettes may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they still contain toxic chemicals, metals, and higher concentrations of nicotine, posing a risk to the developing brains of adolescents.
Educators have faced challenges in curbing vaping among students, as it is easy for them to conceal the habit. Schools have implemented various strategies, such as installing vapor-detecting devices in bathrooms, initiating e-cigarette buy-back programs, and even taking legal action against e-cigarette manufacturers. The FDA and CDC underscored the crucial role that schools play in preventing youth vaping and tobacco use.
To address the issue, schools can take proactive steps to curb vaping among students. Experts and school leaders recommend having clear policies and plans in place, avoiding scare tactics or discipline without an educational component, designing comprehensive educational approaches that include media literacy, and involving adults in anti-vaping efforts in meaningful ways. By engaging parents, caregivers, teachers, principals, coaches, and other stakeholders, schools can have a more significant impact on reducing adolescents’ vaping use and promoting student health.
