Trends In Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Middle and High School Students

Cigarette smoking among youth has markedly decreased since the 1990s, but data on use of smokeless tobacco are limited. CDC investigators analyzed data from the 2000 through 2011 National Youth Tobacco Surveys to determine trends in smokeless tobacco use (defined as use of snuff, chewing, or dipping tobacco 1 or more days in the past 30 days).

Between 2000 and 2011, overall rates of use remained at about 5%. Rates slightly decreased among 9- to 14-year-olds and slightly increased among 15- to 17-year-olds. In 2011, the prevalence of use was 7% among 15- to 17-year-olds and was five times higher among boys than girls (8.6% vs. 1.6%). Rates were lowest (2.4%) among blacks and Asians.