California's Youth Smoking and Vaping Rates Decrease in 2021

Oct.18.2022
California's Youth Smoking and Vaping Rates Decrease in 2021
The CHKS report shows a decline in tobacco and e-cigarette use among California students, attributed to T21 law.

According to a report from the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS), only 1% of 7th and 9th-grade students, and 2% of 11th-grade students reported smoking in 2021, defined as smoking "one or more days" within 30 days prior to the survey. The data also shows that since 2015, smoking rates have decreased by 50% among 7th-grade students, 75% among 9th-grade students, and 71.4% among 11th-grade students.


Furthermore, the use of e-cigarettes has also dropped. According to a survey, e-cigarette usage peaked in 2015, with 7% of students, 13% of 9th graders, and 14% of 11th graders reporting they had used e-cigarettes in the 30 days prior to the survey. However, in 2021, this rate hit an all-time low, with only 2% of 7th graders, 6% of 9th graders, and 10% of 11th graders reporting current e-cigarette use.


Earlier this year, additional data was released regarding the legal impact of California in 2016, which reported a positive trend. The law raised the legal age for tobacco sales from 18 to 21 (T21). In 2016, California passed a law that raised the age limit for tobacco sales from 18 to 21. The Pacific Research and Evaluation Prevention Research Center conducted a study called "New research investigating the impact of California's minimum age of 21 for tobacco sales.


Data compilation shows that the T21 law has had a positive impact on public health among 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students statewide. The survey results are summarized on News-Medical.


Reduce the prevalence of lifelong use of combustible tobacco and e-cigarettes, as well as the past month's use of combustible tobacco among the entire student population.


Over the past month, there has been an increase in the usage of electronic cigarettes.


Reduce lifetime and past 30-day use of all tobacco and nicotine products among Latinx youth.


Positive public health impacts on other racial and ethnic groups that are distinct.


Title: California's E-cigarette Usage Rates, T21, California Health Children Survey A recent survey in California has revealed significant statistics on the usage of electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, in the state. The survey also examined the T21, a law that raises the minimum age for buying tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to 21. The survey, named California Health Children Survey, reported that 7% of surveyed high school students had used e-cigarettes at least once in the past 30 days. Moreover, 15% of 11th graders reported current usage of e-cigarettes. The survey also showed that T21 has resulted in a decrease in tobacco product usage among youths under 21 years old. There has been a significant drop in the usage of e-cigarettes, with a decrease of 6% in the past 12 months alone. Overall, the survey suggests that e-cigarette usage remains an issue in California, particularly among high school students. However, the implementation of T21 has shown a positive impact in decreasing tobacco usage among younger demographics, including e-cigarettes.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry discussion and learning purposes.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of its contents. The translation of this article is intended only for industry exchange and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the level of translation, the translated article may not express the same meaning as the original. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or international statements and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

ITGA Americas Meeting Calls for Balanced Regulation as Tobacco Growers Warn of Pressure on Farms and Legal Supply Chains
ITGA Americas Meeting Calls for Balanced Regulation as Tobacco Growers Warn of Pressure on Farms and Legal Supply Chains
ITGA said tobacco grower organizations from five Americas countries called for stronger regional cooperation and balanced regulation, warning that restrictive policies could pressure farmers and legal supply chains. The article also provides data on major tobacco-producing countries in the Americas.
Special Report
Jun.02
China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Patent Discloses Nicotine Tooth Patch for Fixed Oral Delivery
China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Patent Discloses Nicotine Tooth Patch for Fixed Oral Delivery
According to Chinese patent records, a “nicotine tooth patch” application filed by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Corporation (CTHB) and Hubei Xinye Tobacco Sheet Development Co., Ltd. was published on May 19, 2026. The filing proposes a nicotine gel patch that adheres to the tooth surface, especially the lingual side, to reduce displacement, foreign-body sensation, and accidental swallowing risks associated with existing oral nicotine products.
Jun.10
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Warns 1,500 Tobacco Retailers Over Unauthorized Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Alaska Attorney General Stephen J. Cox has sent notices to more than 1,500 tobacco retailers and distributors warning them against selling vape and nicotine pouch products that lack authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the Alaska Department of Law, businesses were advised to verify products against FDA authorization databases and avoid selling unauthorized nicotine products. The action highlights how state-level enforcement is increasingly extending federal product authorization requirements to retail channels.
Jul.24
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
A smoke-free nicotine policy report argues that tobacco harm reduction should move beyond product bans and health warnings into tax policy, insurance pricing and risk-based regulation. While some projections remain open to debate, the report highlights a wider challenge: nicotine products, technologies and consumer behavior have changed sharply over the past decade, and regulatory systems may need new tools to better align tobacco control with harm-reduction goals.
Jun.08
Illegal Vape Sellers Still Use TikTok and Other Platforms to Drive Sales Despite Australia’s Ad Ban
Illegal Vape Sellers Still Use TikTok and Other Platforms to Drive Sales Despite Australia’s Ad Ban
Illegal vape sellers are still promoting nicotine products on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube despite Australia’s 2024 advertising ban, while illicit tobacco sales are increasingly moving from physical stores to online marketplaces.
Jul.15
Vape Industry Group Loses Alabama Court Fight as State Tightens Rules on Imported Products
Vape Industry Group Loses Alabama Court Fight as State Tightens Rules on Imported Products
The Alabama Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s refusal to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the state’s 2025 electronic nicotine delivery systems law, allowing rules requiring covered products to be U.S.-made or FDA-authorized to remain in effect.
Jul.10