Colorado Teen Tobacco Use Showing Promising Trends

A survey conducted among teenagers in Colorado Springs by KKTV has revealed a "promising trend" in the use of commercial tobacco products among youth. The results of the survey were published by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in June and included responses from both high school and middle school students. "The latest data is encouraging," said Natalya Versheure, the tobacco program manager at CDPHE, "but there is still more work to do. We encourage parents, schools, and communities to continue to promote healthy choices and strengthen smoke-free habits among youth.

For the first time since 2015, officials have reported a significant decrease in electronic cigarette use among high school students. Currently, the figure stands at 16%, down from 26% in 2019. The proportion of high school students using electronic cigarettes has also decreased, from 6% to 3%, as has the use of any tobacco products, from 29% to 17%.

According to the data, students are becoming increasingly aware of smoking and vaping, and the proportion of students who believe that their parents and adults in their vicinity consider youth smoking and vaping to be wrong has increased. The survey also found that the percentage of students who vape decreased in 2019, possibly due to the lower cost of tobacco vapor products compared to other tobacco products. Additionally, the proportion of students who believe that it is easy to obtain cigarettes or vapor products has also decreased.

Officials stated in a press release that "some policy changes over the past two years may have had an impact on these figures, including the EE proposal which implemented a tax on steam tobacco products and e-cigarettes beginning January 1, 2021. In addition, the Tobacco 21 law raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, and more than 36 local ordinances in Colorado now require retailers selling tobacco products to obtain a license.

Although these are positive trends, the latest data from the "Colorado State Health Children's Survey" shows that there are still some concerning areas. In particular, the proportion of students using electronic cigarette products for flavoring has increased to 23%. The data also shows that young people are trying vapor products at a very young age. The proportion of high school students who tried electronic cigarette products before the age of 13 has significantly increased, from 13% in 2019 to 22% in 2021. The usage rate of middle school students remains stable.

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