Indiana youth tobacco use lowest in decades

The 2024 Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey (IYTS) released today shows that youth tobacco use continues to decline, with high school tobacco use at its lowest level in two decades.

E-cigarette use among high school youth has dropped to 5% − its lowest level since data collection began in 2012, down from a peak of 18.5% in 2018 − while cigarette smoking has reached a record low since data collection began in 2000, falling from 31.6%. Despite this progress, concerns remain as flavored tobacco products, frequent e-cigarette use, and the rising popularity of oral nicotine pouches indicate ongoing risks for nicotine addiction. Additionally, many Indiana youth who have never used tobacco products are still susceptible to future use, reinforcing the importance of continued prevention efforts. 

“We are encouraged by the continued decline in youth tobacco and e-cigarette use, yet we remain vigilant in addressing nicotine addiction and the appeal of flavored products,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “I am thankful for the tobacco prevention team and many coalitions who have been addressing tobacco prevention for decades. This last year they have had the added assistance of addressing vaping prevention in schools with the local health departments’ school health liaisons, made possible by Health First Indiana.” 
 
The biennial survey collects data from Indiana public school students in grades 6 through 12 on tobacco use, secondhand smoke exposure, access to tobacco products, advertising, and cessation efforts. The IYTS provides the most comprehensive statewide, representative source of tobacco-related behavior data among public middle and high school students in Indiana. 
 
E-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, with approximately 15,000 high school students and 5,000 middle school students currently using e-cigarettes. Nearly half (46%) of high school students who use e-cigarettes reported frequent use (20 or more days in the past 30 days), signaling a dependence on nicotine. 
 
Even among youth who have never used tobacco products, susceptibility to begin use remains a concern. The survey found that approximately 1 in 4 youth who have never smoked cigarettes, 1 in 5 who have never used e-cigarettes, and 1 in 7 who have never tried nicotine pouches are susceptible to future use. 
 
Flavored tobacco products continue to be a significant concern, as they increase appeal and initiation among youth. Among youth who use tobacco, the majority reported using flavored tobacco products, including menthol.

The IYTS found that many youth who use tobacco want to quit, with 70.3% of middle school students and 50.5% of high school students making at least one quit attempt in the past year. However, the majority of students who attempted to quit tried to do so “cold turkey,” without support resources, highlighting the need for more cessation assistance. 
 
“Comprehensive tobacco control programs remain essential to reducing youth tobacco use,” said Miranda Spitznagle, director of Tobacco Prevention and Cessation at the Indiana Department of Health. “By working together — parents, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations — we can continue protecting young Hoosiers from the harms of commercial tobacco products.” 
 
Indiana offers free tobacco cessation resources for youth. Young Hoosiers interested in quitting can enroll in Live Vape Free’s program by visiting livevapefree.com. Quit Now Indiana is another free resource available to any Hoosier, aged 13 and older, by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or by texting READY to 34191. Quitlines provide essential support for quitting tobacco and vaping, making long-term success five to eight times more likely than attempting to quit alone.