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.

Thai police arrest 23-year-old woman linked to major vape-smuggling network in the South
Thai police arrest 23-year-old woman linked to major vape-smuggling network in the South
Thai police said officers expanded an investigation into a major e-cigarette smuggling network in the South and arrested a 23-year-old woman at Hat Yai Junction railway station on Jan. 6, 2026.
Jan.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
MEPs seek Commission answers over EU trade officials’ contacts with PMI
MEPs seek Commission answers over EU trade officials’ contacts with PMI
POLITICO reports that five members of the European Parliament’s health committee want to invite the European Commission to answer questions about its contacts with Philip Morris International (PMI), following a POLITICO and The Examination investigation into extensive meetings between EU trade officials and tobacco lobbyists.
Jan.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
IQOS Partners with Mexico’s Zamna Festival; PMI Says Adult User Base Tops 140,000
IQOS Partners with Mexico’s Zamna Festival; PMI Says Adult User Base Tops 140,000
Philip Morris International (PMI) said IQOS, via its “IQOS Curious X” platform, has entered a global partnership with the Zamna music festival in Tulum, Mexico, with the collaboration making its on-site debut during Zamna 2026 and targeting adult nicotine users. PMI said IQOS has more than 34 million users worldwide, while the number of adult consumers in Mexico has surpassed 140,000.
Jan.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | “Switch”-Style Design, Rated 30,000 Puffs: Open-System Klip’s Switch Edition Listed on French Channels
Product | “Switch”-Style Design, Rated 30,000 Puffs: Open-System Klip’s Switch Edition Listed on French Channels
The open-system e-cigarette Klip’s Switch Edition 30K has recently been listed on multiple French vape e-commerce channels. Channel information indicates the product is a collaboration between Fumytech and Tornadoliq and uses an open refill solution. The kit includes a 7 mL pod/cartridge and two 10 mL refill bottles, with a claimed total usage of around 30,000 puffs. The mainstream retail price is about €19.90.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Texas college data show rapid shifts in top vaping brands, with Geek Bar/Vape surging by 2025
Texas college data show rapid shifts in top vaping brands, with Geek Bar/Vape surging by 2025
A short communication in Drug and Alcohol Dependence examined changes in the most commonly used nicotine vaping brands among Texas college students from 2023 to 2025. The study analyzed 6,049 students aged 18–25 who reported past-30-day nicotine vaping across three repeated cross-sectional spring surveys. The report found that use of Esco Bar, Elf Bar, JUUL, and Puff Bar declined from 2023 to 2025, while Geek Bar/Vape increased.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
HB337 Moves Forward: Cigarette and Nicotine Taxes Set to Rise in Utah
HB337 Moves Forward: Cigarette and Nicotine Taxes Set to Rise in Utah
Utah lawmakers are advancing HB337, a bill that would raise the state cigarette tax by $2 per pack and restructure taxes on other nicotine products. The proposal replaces weight-based taxes with percentage-based rates and removes reduced rates for certain modified risk products. Supporters say it will curb youth tobacco use, while opponents warn of cross-border shopping and harm to consumers seeking alternatives.
Feb.17