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.

UK Launches Call for Evidence to Shape New Tobacco and Vapes Regulations
UK Launches Call for Evidence to Shape New Tobacco and Vapes Regulations
The UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched an eight-week comprehensive call for evidence to inform new regulations under the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, with a deadline of December 3, 2025. The initiative aims to systematically gather evidence on vape flavors, ingredients, nicotine levels, and product design, as well as proposals for an omnichannel retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes and a new product registration system.
Nov.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thailand Seizes Over 42,000 Illegal Vapes Worth USD 340,000
Thailand Seizes Over 42,000 Illegal Vapes Worth USD 340,000
Thai authorities announced the seizure of more than 42,000 smuggled vapes worth approximately THB 10.87 million (USD 340,000).
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Confirms Vuse Marketing Success in H2, Federal Crackdown Key Driver
BAT Confirms Vuse Marketing Success in H2, Federal Crackdown Key Driver
BAT confirms significant improvement in Vuse's performance, attributing it to federal crackdown on illegal competitors, creating a unique market opportunity.
Dec.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
84% of Britons Back Regulation of Nicotine Pouches, Survey Finds
84% of Britons Back Regulation of Nicotine Pouches, Survey Finds
A Northerner survey finds 84% of Britons support regulating nicotine pouches and 82% back a licensing scheme for vape sales, aligning with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to improve consumer safety and youth protection.
Nov.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Pakistan is experiencing a sharp rise in nicotine use among teenagers, driven by widespread availability of flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Cheap, sweet-flavoured devices are easily accessible in major cities, and weak enforcement of age limits has enabled young users to adopt vaping at alarming rates. Activists warn that industry marketing falsely portrays e-cigarettes as “safer,” putting youth at risk of long-term addiction and serious health effects.
Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Co-Founder and CEO Alan Zhao Speaks at PouchEX 2025: Highlighting China’s Critical Role in the Global Nicotine Pouch Industry
2Firsts Co-Founder and CEO Alan Zhao Speaks at PouchEX 2025: Highlighting China’s Critical Role in the Global Nicotine Pouch Industry
At PouchEX 2025 in Sweden, 2Firsts CEO Alan Zhao delivered an invited keynote, outlining China’s critical role in the global nicotine pouch industry from both supply chain and consumer insight perspectives, drawing significant attention from the international community.
Nov.17