INDIANAPOLIS -- The 2024 Indiana Youth Tobacco Survey was released today, June 24, and result show tobacco use is continuing to decline in the Hoosier state, with the number of high school students using at its lowest level in two decades.

The use of e-cigarettes for high school youth dropped from 18.5 percent in 2012 to five percent in 2024. 

Despite the decrease, concern remains due to the rise in popularity among oral nicotine pouches and favored nicotine products.

“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.

Weaver continues, "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 schools in grades six through 12.

“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.”

The state of Indiana offers many free tobacco cessation resources, including calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or texting READY to 34191.