Youth Substance Use Trends: Highest Rates in History

Aug.24.2022
Youth Substance Use Trends: Highest Rates in History
Marijuana and nicotine e-cigarette usage among young people hit historic highs in 2021, according to a report.

According to a report released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the United States, in 2021, the usage rates of cannabis and nicotine electronic cigarettes among young people reached an all-time high level.


Dr. Megan E. Patrick and her colleagues at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research in Ann Arbor studied drug use prevalence and trends among young people dating back to 1975 in a monitoring group study. Participants were initially sampled in 12th grade at the age of 18, and then surveyed annually until the age of 30.


Researchers have found that in 2021, the most commonly used substances among young people in the past 12 months were alcohol, marijuana, nicotine e-cigarettes, marijuana e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and other drugs (at 81.8%, 42.6%, 21.8%, 18.7%, and 18.3% respectively). The report showed a binge-drinking rate of 32.0% and a daily marijuana use rate of 10.8%. From 2020 to 2021, there was an increase in monthly marijuana e-cigarette use, a decrease in daily alcohol consumption but an increase in binge drinking, returning to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. There was also an increase in monthly nicotine e-cigarette use, a decrease in non-medical use of narcotics other than heroin, and a decrease in non-medical use of some stimulants, including amphetamines, Adderall, cocaine, and methamphetamine.


In 2021, there was a high prevalence of cannabis, nicotine e-cigarettes, high-intensity alcohol, and hallucinogens other than LSD within a month, while smoking, excessive drinking, and the use of anesthetics other than heroin, Vicodin, and Oxycodone were at historically low levels.


Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, stated in a press release that "understanding how drug use affects young adults' future choices is crucial in helping the next generation avoid harm.


This article contains excerpts or reposts from third-party sources, and their copyright belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion. Any individuals or organizations who wish to repost must contact the author and refrain from reposting directly.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Tennessee’s “Tobacco Product Retail Licensing Act” Would Require New Licenses for Tobacco and Vapes
Tennessee’s “Tobacco Product Retail Licensing Act” Would Require New Licenses for Tobacco and Vapes
A newly introduced Tennessee bill, S.B. 2086, would create a statewide tobacco product retail licensing system, move oversight to the Tennessee Alcohol Commission, and impose fees and escalating penalties. The proposal also requires all tobacco product sales to occur as in-person, over-the-counter transactions at licensed locations—effectively banning direct-to-consumer shipping of cigars and potentially restricting curbside or phone-order pickup models.
Jan.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kyrgyzstan: Jogorku Kenesh committee sends draft vape ban bills back for revisions
Kyrgyzstan: Jogorku Kenesh committee sends draft vape ban bills back for revisions
Kyrgyzstan Jogorku Kenesh committee on labor, health, women’s affairs and social issues decided to withdraw for revision two draft laws related to banning electronic nicotine delivery systems and e-cigarettes in Kyrgyzstan.
Jan.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysian Sabah GOF seizes e-cigarettes, vapes and e-liquids worth over  USD 156,333 in seven-district operation
Malaysian Sabah GOF seizes e-cigarettes, vapes and e-liquids worth over USD 156,333 in seven-district operation
In Sabah, Malaysia’s General Operations Force (GOF) seized thousands of e-cigarette devices, vapes and e-liquids worth more than RM635,000 and detained 23 people during a simultaneous integrated operation across seven districts.
Jan.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philip Morris Japan adds “Electric Purple” to IQOS ILUMA i range, expands to convenience stores from Feb. 3
Philip Morris Japan adds “Electric Purple” to IQOS ILUMA i range, expands to convenience stores from Feb. 3
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) said on Jan. 29 it has introduced “Electric Purple” as a new standard color option for its IQOS ILUMA i heated tobacco device lineup, covering three models with prices unchanged. The new color will be available from Jan. 29 via the company’s official online and store channels, with sales expanding to convenience stores and some tobacco retailers from Feb. 3.
Jan.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China Caps E-Cigarette Capacity and Requires Export Compliance Proof to Curb “Involution”
China Caps E-Cigarette Capacity and Requires Export Compliance Proof to Curb “Involution”
China’s top tobacco regulator has issued a directive aimed at preventing excess capacity and curbing “involution-style” competition in the e-cigarette sector. The notice tightens investment controls, formalizes verified capacity management and requires exporters to submit compliance proof for destination markets, signaling a push toward higher industry concentration and stricter cross-border oversight.
Special Report
Feb.13
Rosstandart: packaging and design requirements for vapes to be tightened in early 2026
Rosstandart: packaging and design requirements for vapes to be tightened in early 2026
Rosstandart head Anton Shalaev told TASS that Russia will tighten requirements for the packaging and design of vapes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems in early 2026.
Jan.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai