The fight against youth vaping in New Jersey is showing promising results, with a significant decrease in the number of teens using e-cigarettes. According to the recently-released 2021 New Jersey Student Health Survey, the percentage of high school students who reported using an e-cigarette within the last 30 days dropped from 27.6% in 2019 to around 22% in 2021. The survey also revealed that girls were more likely to vape than boys, with 25.7% of girls and 16.4% of boys reporting vaping.
These findings align with the national trend, as the 2024 Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey showed a decrease in e-cigarette use among high school students from 10% in 2023 to nearly 8% in 2024. When including middle school students, the drop was from 8% in 2023 to under 6% in 2024.
However, while the decline in vaping is a positive development, a new tobacco-related issue is emerging. Zyn, a smokeless nicotine pouch produced by a subsidiary of Phillip Morris, is gaining popularity among teens. The pouches are marketed as a tool for smokers to quit traditional cigarettes, but they are becoming increasingly common among teens and even middle school students. According to the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey, around 1.8% of middle school and high school students currently use nicotine pouches, with Zyn being the most popular brand.