Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2014

Introduction:
This text discusses the results of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) conducted in the United States from 2011-2014. The survey aimed to determine the prevalence and trends of current use of nine tobacco products among U.S. middle and high school students. The key points and main message of the text highlight the rise in e-cigarette and hookah use among youths and the importance of comprehensive tobacco control policies and strategies.

Key Points:

* The NYTS is a cross-sectional, school-based survey of U.S. middle and high school students, with a sample size of over 20,000 students in 2014.
* The survey found that e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students, followed by hookahs.
* From 2011 to 2014, there were significant increases in current use of e-cigarettes and hookahs among both middle and high school students.
* During the same period, there were significant decreases in the use of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco pipes, bidis, and snus.
* However, the increases in e-cigarette and hookah use offset the decreases in other tobacco products, resulting in no change in overall current tobacco use among youths.
* In 2014, an estimated 4.6 million middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product.
* The study also notes that nicotine exposure during adolescence, regardless of mode of delivery, might have lasting adverse consequences for brain development and cause addiction.

Main Message:
The main message of the text is that the use of emerging tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and hookahs, is increasing among middle and high school students. Comprehensive tobacco control and prevention strategies should address all tobacco products and not just cigarettes. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing proven tobacco control policies and strategies, as well as increasing tobacco product prices, adopting comprehensive smoke-free laws, and implementing national public education media campaigns. The study also highlights the need for enhanced surveillance of all tobacco use among youths, as well as the need for sustained efforts to reduce youth tobacco use and initiation.

Arrazola, René A, Tushar Singh, Catherine G Corey, Corinne G Husten, Linda J Neff, Rebecca E Bunnell, Conrad J Choiniere, Brian A King, Shanna Cox, and Tim McAfee. “Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2014” 64, no. 14 (2015).