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.

2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
2Firsts Outlines 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry
As regulation tightens and innovation matures, competition in the new tobacco industry is shifting. In its 2026 Global Product Trends in the New Tobacco Industry report, 2Firsts examines how heated tobacco, nicotine pouches, and vape products are moving beyond feature-driven upgrades toward system-level design, where experience management, compliance structure, and engineering capability increasingly shape long-term competition.
Jan.13 by 2Firsts Perspectives
UPC Court of Appeal refuses to revive VMR’s European vape patent, upholding lack of inventiveness
UPC Court of Appeal refuses to revive VMR’s European vape patent, upholding lack of inventiveness
The Unified Patent Court’s Court of Appeal declined on Dec. 29 to revive a European patent held by VMR Products LLC, upholding a finding that the patent is not inventive over earlier devices. The decision said adding a window in the vape’s outer shell to reveal the internal cartridge holding vape liquid was an obvious, routine adaptation based on an earlier U.S. patent and general knowledge.
Jan.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Breaking | FDA to Hold PMTA Roundtable for Small ENDS Manufacturers, Spotlighting Small Business Applications
2Firsts Breaking | FDA to Hold PMTA Roundtable for Small ENDS Manufacturers, Spotlighting Small Business Applications
The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) will hold a PMTA roundtable on February 10, 2026, for small electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) manufacturers, seeking input on PMTA submission experiences and recommendations for streamlining and improving the review process.
Dec.24
Philip Morris International: Over $20 Billion Invested in the U.S. Since 2022; IQOS ILUMA to Launch Pending FDA Authorization
Philip Morris International: Over $20 Billion Invested in the U.S. Since 2022; IQOS ILUMA to Launch Pending FDA Authorization
Philip Morris International (PMI) said its U.S.-related investments have topped $20 billion since 2022, when it entered the U.S. market through its roughly $19 billion acquisition of Swedish Match. The company also said it plans to launch its heated tobacco product IQOS ILUMA in the United States pending authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria CEO Billy Gifford to Retire; Sal Mancuso Named Successor
Altria CEO Billy Gifford to Retire; Sal Mancuso Named Successor
Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) announced that CEO Billy Gifford will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 14, 2026, after more than 30 years with the company. The Board of Directors has elected Salvatore (Sal) Mancuso, Altria’s current Executive Vice President and CFO, to succeed him as CEO.
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Azerbaijan Parliament Passes E-cigarette Ban Bill in First Reading
Azerbaijan Parliament Passes E-cigarette Ban Bill in First Reading
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis has approved, in its first reading, a bill that would ban the import, export, production, storage, wholesale and retail sale, and use of electronic cigarettes and their components. The bill amends the Law on Tobacco and Tobacco Products, classifying nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as tobacco products while explicitly excluding heated tobacco products. If adopted, the law would take effect on February 1, 2026.
Dec.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai