Top 5 Takeaways

1. Prevalence of Use: In 2022, approximately 11.3% of U.S. middle and high school students reported current use of any tobacco product, with higher usage among high school students.
2. E-cigarettes Most Common: E-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among both middle and high school students.
3. Demographic Disparities: Higher current use of tobacco products was observed among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native students, students identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, transgender students, students with severe psychological distress, those from lower affluence families, and those with low academic achievement.
4. Combustible Tobacco Use: About 3.7% of students reported current use of any combustible tobacco product, with the highest usage among Black students for cigars and hookahs.
5. Multiple Product Use: Approximately one in three students who currently used any tobacco product reported using multiple tobacco products, indicating a risk for nicotine dependence.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Eunice Park-Lee, Eunice.Park-Lee@fda.hhs.gov, 301-837-7342.

Suggested Citation

Park-Lee E, Ren C, Cooper M, Cornelius M, Jamal A, Cullen KA. Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1429–1435. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7145a1.

Summary

The 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted by the FDA and CDC, revealed that approximately 11.3% of U.S. middle and high school students (about 3.08 million individuals) reported current use of tobacco products. This included 16.5% of high school students and 4.5% of middle school students. E-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product in both groups.

Methods

The survey used a cross-sectional, school-based approach, engaging students in grades 6–12. A stratified, three-stage cluster sampling produced a nationally representative sample. Conducted online from January 18 to May 31, 2022, it achieved a student participation rate of 76.1%.

Discussion

The study highlighted disparities in tobacco product use among different demographic groups and social determinants of health. It also noted a declining trend in cigarette smoking among U.S. youths over the past two decades.

Conclusion

The 2022 NYTS findings underscore the need for comprehensive tobacco control strategies and FDA regulation to prevent and reduce tobacco product use among U.S. youths. Addressing disparities and focusing on health equity are crucial in this effort.

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