Youth tobacco and vapor product use continues to decline in the Green Mountain State, according to data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted by the Vermont Department of Health in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Among high school students in 2023, only 6% reported currently using combustible cigarettes, defined as any use in the 30 days prior to the survey. Additionally, 3.2% reported current smokeless tobacco use (including chewing tobacco, dip, dissolvable tobacco products, snuff, and/or snus), and only 3.9% reported current cigar use. While combustible cigarette use slightly increased from 5.4% in 2021, the percentage of Vermont high school students who reported current cigarette use declined by an impressive 66.5% between 2005 and 2023. Smokeless tobacco use has also decreased by 38.5% from 5.2% in 2015, while cigar use declined by 58.5% over the same period.
In recent years, lawmakers have focused on novel tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Similar to national trends, vaping peaked in Vermont in 2019 when nearly half (49.8%) of high school students had ever tried an e-cigarette, and more than one-fourth (26.4%) reported current use. Between 2019 and 2023, ever-use of e-cigarettes declined by 35.7%, while current use dropped by 39%.
Tobacco use among middle school students remains low as well. In 2023, only 7% of middle school students had tried a combustible cigarette, while 2% reported current use. Between 2013 and 2023, ever-use of cigarettes declined by 4.1%, while current use remained unchanged. Regarding vapor product use, 12% of Vermont middle schoolers had ever tried an e-cigarette in 2023, while 6% reported past-month use. Between 2019 and 2023, ever-use of e-cigarettes declined by 22.6%, while current use decreased by 23.1%.
Vermont is one of the few states examining the reasons why youth use e-cigarettes. Despite growing misinformation about the role of flavors in tobacco harm reduction products, the data suggest that flavors are not a primary driver of youth e-cigarette use.
In 2023, among Vermont high school students who were currently vaping, the most common reason for using e-cigarettes was curiosity, as reported by 25% of students. Only 2% cited flavors as their reason for use. Comparatively, 21% used them to relieve feelings of anxiety, depression, and/or stress, while 19% used them because a friend or family member did.
Among middle schoolers who were currently vaping in 2023, curiosity was again the most common reason for use, reported by 29% of students, while only 2% cited flavors. Additionally, 23% used e-cigarettes because a friend or family member did, and 22% used them to cope with anxiety, depression, and/or stress.
It is imperative that Vermont policymakers take these findings into account when shaping policies that impact adult access to tobacco and harm-reduction products. Similar to youth use, adult smoking rates have reached record lows, with only 11.3% of adults smoking in 2023. Meanwhile, e-cigarette use among adults aged 18 and older has increased by 44.1% since 2016, including a 132.1% increase among adults aged 35 to 44. Many of these adults rely on flavored products to remain smoke-free and should not be subjected to restrictive policies that do not address the actual reasons why youth use e-cigarettes.
As Vermont continues to see significant declines in youth tobacco and vapor product use, policymakers must adopt a balanced approach that prioritizes both youth prevention and adult harm reduction. The data clearly show that youth vaping is driven more by curiosity and social factors rather than flavors, highlighting the need for targeted education and mental health support rather than broad restrictions. With smoking rates at historic lows among both youth and adults, Vermont has an opportunity to build on this progress through evidence-based policies that protect public health while avoiding unintended consequences.