Percent of the state's total middle school youth using tobacco dropped slightly from 11.6% in 2015 to10.4% in 2019. 

NC Youth Tobacco Surveys (YTS) are given every two years, however the survey's methodology and response rate changed in 2022. Consequently, data collected in 2022 may not be comparable to data from previous years.

Definition:

Tobacco use is the act of consuming tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes). Measurement of tobacco use includes frequency, amount and type of tobacco product used.

Why is this indicator important?

Tobacco consumption in North Carolina is responsible for a significant amount of disease and death. Tobacco causes significant public and private costs (e.g., financial costs of healthcare, lost productivity), including costs associated with exposure to secondhand smoke. 

Nicotine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug found in tobacco products. It is especially dangerous to the health of developing babies.  Youth and young adults are also especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of nicotine. [CDC]

Additional Information:

The NC Youth Tobacco Survey measures youth tobacco behaviors every 2 years since 1999. In 2022, NC YTS was collected electronically for the first time (in classrooms). Due to changes in survey methodology and lower response rates, data from 2022 may not be comparable to data from previous years.

For Further Information:

https://www.cdc.gov/

NC SCHS: Statistics and Reports: N.C. Youth Tobacco Survey (youth tobacco survey)