Youth tobacco use in the US has reached its lowest point in 25 years, according to the CDC’s 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey. While this marks a significant victory in public health, a concerning trend has emerged: the rising use of nicotine pouches.
The survey reveals a substantial decrease in overall tobacco use among middle and high school students, with an estimated 2.25 million reporting tobacco product use in the past 30 days, compared to 2.8 million in 2023. E-cigarettes, cigarettes, cigars, and hookahs all saw declines. However, nicotine pouches, a relatively new product, experienced an increase in usage.
What Are Nicotine Pouches?
Nicotine pouches are small, teabag-like packets containing nicotine powder, often flavored. Unlike traditional tobacco products, they contain no tobacco leaf, although the nicotine is typically derived from tobacco plants. Users place the pouch between their lip and gum, allowing the nicotine to absorb through the mouth lining. The CDC still classifies these products as tobacco products due to their nicotine content. Nicotine itself is highly addictive and poses serious health risks.
The Rise of Nicotine Pouches Among Youth
In 2023, nicotine pouches ranked fourth in popularity among surveyed students, trailing vapes, cigarettes, and cigars. In 2024, they climbed to second place, with 1.4% of respondents reporting usage in the past 30 days, a rise from 1.2% the previous year. While vapes remain the most popular product, their usage also decreased from 7.7% to 5.9%. Cigarettes now hold the third spot, reaching their lowest recorded rate since the survey’s inception in 1999, followed by cigars.
The Potential Dangers of Nicotine
Nicotine, regardless of the delivery method, carries significant health risks. These include hardening of artery walls, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and impaired brain development in individuals under 25. Furthermore, studies have linked tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, to erectile dysfunction. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which can contribute to sexual dysfunction.
A Step in the Right Direction, But Vigilance is Key
The decline in overall youth tobacco use is encouraging. However, the rise of nicotine pouches necessitates continued efforts to educate young people about the dangers of nicotine addiction. Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, emphasizes the need for “continued vigilance” to reduce all forms of tobacco product use among youth. Addressing disparities and ensuring equitable access to prevention and cessation resources is also crucial.
The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted online and self-administered by students in grades 6-12, involved 29,861 participants. While the overall trend points towards progress, the emergence of nicotine pouches underscores the need for ongoing public health initiatives to combat nicotine addiction among young people.
