Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2016

Weekly / June 16, 2017 / 66(23);597–603

Ahmed Jamal, MBBS1; Andrea Gentzke, PhD1; S. Sean Hu, MD1; Karen A. Cullen, PhD2; Benjamin J. Apelberg, PhD2; David M. Homa, PhD1; Brian A. King, PhD1 (View author affiliations)

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Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, and nearly all tobacco use begins during youth and young adulthood. Among youths, use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe.

What is added by this report?

In 2016, one in five high school students and one in 14 middle school students reported current use of a tobacco product on ≥1 of the past 30 days (3.9 million tobacco users). Moreover, 47.2% of high school students and 42.4% of middle school students who used a tobacco product in the past 30 days used ≥2 tobacco products. During 2015–2016, current use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) decreased among middle school students, and decreases in current use of any tobacco product, any combustible tobacco product, ≥2 tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and hookahs occurred among high school students. However, decreases in cigarette and cigar use during 2011–2016 were offset by increases in hookah and e-cigarette use, resulting in no significant change in any tobacco use. In 2016, e-cigarettes remained the most commonly used tobacco product among high (11.3%) and middle (4.3%) school students.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Sustained efforts to implement proven tobacco control strategies focusing on all types of tobacco products are critical to reduce tobacco product use among U.S. youths.