e-Cigarette Use Among Youth in the United States, 2019.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the National Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in 2019, focusing on e-cigarette use among US high school and middle school students. The study estimates the prevalence of e-cigarette use, frequency of use, brands used, and use of flavored products. The findings aim to inform public health policy, planning, and regulatory efforts.

Key Points:

* The study used a school-based, nationally representative sample of 19,018 US students in grades 6-12.
* The response rate was 66.3%.
* An estimated 27.5% (95% CI, 25.3%-29.7%) of high school students and 10.5% (95% CI, 9.4%-11.8%) of middle school students reported current e-cigarette use.
* Among current e-cigarette users, an estimated 34.2% (95% CI, 31.2%-37.3%) of high school students and 18.0% (95% CI, 15.2%-21.2%) of middle school students reported frequent use.
* An estimated 63.6% (95% CI, 59.3%-67.8%) of high school students and 65.4% (95% CI, 60.6%-69.9%) of middle school students reported exclusive use of e-cigarettes.
* Among current e-cigarette users, an estimated 59.1% (95% CI, 54.8%-63.2%) of high school students and 54.1% (95% CI, 49.1%-59.0%) of middle school students reported JUUL as their usual e-cigarette brand.
* Among current exclusive e-cigarette users, an estimated 72.2% (95% CI, 69.1%-75.1%) of high school students and 59.2% (95% CI, 54.8%-63.4%) of middle school students used flavored e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey highlights the high prevalence of e-cigarette use among US high school and middle school students. The findings emphasize the need for continued monitoring and regulatory actions to address the use of e-cigarettes, particularly flavored products that may appeal to youth. Public health policies and interventions should focus on reducing e-cigarette use among youth to protect their health and development.

Cullen KA, Gentzke AS, Sawdey MD, et al. e-Cigarette Use Among Youth in the United States, 2019. JAMA. 2019;322(21):2095-2103. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.18387