Study: US Teen Cigarette Use Falls as Vaping Rises

On March 22, according to Vapingpost, a recent study published in Pediatrics shows that between 2011 and 2018, the number of days and the amount smoked by teenage smokers decreased, while the use of e-cigarettes increased.

Data extracted from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) from 2011 to 2018 analyzed the smoking frequency, intensity, age of first smoking, and trends in e-cigarette use among current smokers, with separate analyses for males, females, middle school students, high school students, and different racial groups.

The aggregated data indicates that between 2011 and 2018, the smoking rates among current male, female, high school, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic smoking students decreased. Overall, light smoking (≤5 cigarettes per day [CPDs]) increased, while moderate smoking (6-10 CPDs) decreased, with trends in light, moderate, and heavy smoking varying by population.

The age of first smoking increased among female students, high school students, and non-Hispanic students, while it decreased among male students. Additionally, between 2014 and 2018, the frequency of e-cigarette use increased.

The study titled "Trends in Smoking Behavior Among Current Youth Cigarette Smokers in the United States" found an overall positive trend in smoking behavior, with a concerning trend reported only among male students, where the smoking rate increased.

"From 2011 to 2018, the number of smoking days for current youth cigarette smokers decreased, CPDs decreased, and the age of first smoking increased. However, over time, the smoking rate among male youth remained higher, and the age of initiation was earlier. From 2014 to 2018, the use of e-cigarettes increased."