Smoking among teenagers hits record low

Teen smoking in the U.S. has hit an all-time low this year, marking a significant decline in tobacco use among youth overall.

The estimated number of middle and high school students who recently used at least one tobacco product fell from 2.8 million to 2.25 million, the lowest level since the CDC survey began in 1999.

The big picture: A key factor in the decline in overall tobacco consumption is the significant decline in e-cigarette use, with e-cigarette use among youth falling to below 6%, the lowest level in the last decade.

• There has also been a decline in other tobacco products such as cigarettes and hookahs, with smoking rates among high school students falling from nearly 30% to 17% over the past 25 years.

Driving News: The findings are based on an annual CDC survey of nearly 30,000 middle and high school students, with responses reflecting policies such as price increases, public health awareness campaigns, age restrictions and aggressive enforcement of tobacco sales to minors.

• While tobacco use among students has declined overall, there has been a slight increase in tobacco use among American Indian or Alaska Native students and an increase in nicotine pouch use among white children.