Tobacco use among New York high schoolers is continuing to fall, according to a new report from the state Department of Health.
Using data collected from the New York Youth Tobacco Survey, the report shows tobacco use among high school students has dropped to 17%, the lowest since tracking began in 2000. Just over 2% of students reported smoking cigarettes.
The state Department of Health said in 2022 that one in five New York youth were using tobacco. That number is now one in six, according to the report.
“The decline in tobacco use among our youth represents a major public health achievement and underscores the power of strong tobacco control policies and prevention efforts,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement. “While youth tobacco use has reached record lows, far too many young people continue to use these harmful products. We remain committed to taking action that drives these numbers even lower and protects the health and well-being of our youth.”
The use of e-cigarettes has also dropped, according to the report, falling from nearly 19% in 2022 to about 13% in 2024. However, the state says vaping remains the most common form of tobacco use among youth.
“The rise of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches—particularly among youth—poses a serious threat to future progress,” the state Department of Health said in a statement. “These products often come in youth-appealing flavors and are heavily marketed, increasing the risk of nicotine addiction among young people. In addition, recent cuts to federal tobacco prevention and control programs threaten to undo decades of progress.”
The report also reveals that nicotine pouch use has risen, doubling from 1.5% to 3.0% since 2022.
The state touts several initiatives and programs aimed at protecting kids and adults from the potential dangers of tobacco and e-cigarette use and how to get help quitting. This includes the Tobacco Control Program, which offers health communications and media, tobacco use treatment interventions and community actions. Also offered is the New York State Quitline, which provides free and confidential services to help people stop smoking. A recently launched text-based program, DropTheVape, aims to help young people quit tobacco use by offering supportive daily days with tips on how to manage cravings and stress.