The U.S. FDA released raw data from the 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) showing overall tobacco use among students in grades 6‑12 fell to 7.5%, down from 8.1% in 2024.
E‑cigarette use declined to 5.2% (approximately 1.4 million youths), the lowest level in a decade; cigarette smoking remained at 1.4%.
Nicotine pouch usage slipped to 1.7% from 1.8% in 2024, while other oral nicotine products (gums, lozenges) dropped sharply to 0.6% from 1.2%.
The survey, first conducted in 1999, has guided U.S. youth tobacco policy; 2025 marks the first year of full FDA oversight after joint administration with CDC.
Experts from ACHE (Dr. Anjum Datta), RIMS Ranchi (Dr. Dewesh Kumar) and Nicokick.com (Laura Leigh Oyler) emphasized that sustained, evidence‑based public‑health initiatives and balanced regulation can achieve measurable declines without extreme bans.
Altria Client Services highlighted the decline, noting the all‑time high of 23.3% in 2019 and celebrating the current low level.
Commentary also pointed to modest declines in smoking prevalence among adults aged 55+ (from 18.7% in 2016 to 16.7% in 2023) and called for increased focus on adult cessation and harm‑reduction strategies.
