Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students—United States, 2000–2009

August 27, 2010 / Vol. 59 / No. 33

From 2000–2009, prevalence of current tobacco use and cigarette use declined for middle school students; however, no overall declines were noted from 2006–2009.
- Current tobacco use decreased from 15.1% in 2000, 9.5% in 2006 and 8.2% in 2009.
- Current cigarette use decreased from 11.0% in 2000, 6.3% in 2006, and 5.2% in 2009.
From 2000–2009, experimentation with smoking declined (from 29.8% in 2000 to 15.0% in 2009).
From 2000–2009, no change in susceptibility to initiate cigarette smoking was observed for middle school students overall.

From 2000–2009, prevalence of current tobacco use and cigarette use declined for high school students; however, no overall declines were noted from 2006–2009.

Current tobacco use decreased from 34.5% in 2000, 25.6% in 2006, and 23.9% in 2009.
Current cigarette use decreased from 28.0% in 2000, 19.8%, 2006, and 17.2% in 2009.

From 2000–2009, experimentation with smoking declined (from 39.4% in 2000 to 30.1% in 2009).
From 2000–2009, no change in susceptibility to initiate cigarette smoking was observed for high school students overall.

The National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) includes measures on prevalence of youth tobacco use, smoking cessation, tobacco-related knowledge and attitudes, access to tobacco, media and advertising, and second-hand smoke exposure.
NYTS has been conducted approximately every two years since 2000.
NYTS is representative of middle and high school students in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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