According to a report released by the Alaska Department of Public Health on May 16th, although the tobacco use rate among adults in Alaska has remained steady at 25% since 2014, the number of smokers has decreased. However, the teenage use of e-cigarettes remains high, with many obtaining them through friends, adults buying on their behalf, and online purchases.
The report titled "2023 Tobacco Facts Update" was released by the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program in Alaska, detailing trends starting from the 1990s. Geographically, tobacco use is lowest in Anchorage at 20%, while it is highest in the northern and southwestern regions at 45% and 44% respectively. The report indicates that all types of tobacco use are more common among Alaska Natives than non-Natives, but there is evidence to suggest that this gap has narrowed.
Meanwhile, cigarette usage in the state has been steadily declining over the past few decades, dropping from 128.6 packs sold per person in 1996 to 39.4 packs in 2021. The prevalence of all types of smokeless tobacco use has remained at 6% over the past 10 years.
Among teenagers, smoking cigarettes has become rare, but the use of e-cigarettes is very common. The smoking rate among teenagers has decreased from 37% in 1995 to 8% in 2019, but the usage rate of e-cigarettes has increased from 18% in 2015 to 26% in 2019.
The report reveals that approximately 46% of high school students in Alaska have tried an e-cigarette at least once, and teenagers who use e-cigarettes rely on social relationships to obtain the products. Data from 2019 shows that 45% of people borrow e-cigarettes, 14% pay others to purchase them, 8% receive them from adults, and another 8% buy them online.
At the time of the report's release, the state legislature is considering a bill aimed at reducing teen e-cigarette use. Senate Bill 89, introduced by Republican Senator Gary Stevens of Kodiak, proposes to impose the state's first-ever e-cigarette tax and raise the minimum purchasing age from the current 19 to 21, according to the original draft. However, the tax provision was removed in the version of the bill passed by the state House of Representatives.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
