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Spot the Signs of Youth Nicotine Use


ND Youth Tobacco Use
ND Youth Tobacco Use

A new generation of nicotine products is creating a new generation of users. Since 2014, electronic cigarettes (vapes) have remained the most popular nicotine product among youth. More recently, nicotine pouches have surged in popularity, drawing in young people with products that are smoke-free, discreet, and easy to conceal.

The Problem with Nicotine & Youth

  • Nicotine is an addictive stimulant that acts on the same reward pathways as heroin or cocaine. It primes a child’s brain for future addictions.
  • The brain’s frontal lobe continues to develop until age 25. Nicotine exposure prior to age 25 can change how a young person’s brain is formed, including the ability to pay attention, learn, and make decisions. Nicotine can affect emotional regulation and can permanently lower impulse control.
  • The potency of nicotine continues to climb with new products. One nicotine pouch can contain as much nicotine as a half a pack of cigarettes. One e-cigarette can have the nicotine content equivalent of hundreds to even thousands of cigarettes.

Current Trends in North Dakota

  • 6.3% of North Dakota 7th graders reported using a nicotine product in the past 30 days (YRBS 2023), higher than the national average of 5.4% (2024 Youth Tobacco Survey).
  • 26.7% of North Dakota 11th graders used a nicotine product in the past 30 days (YRBS 2023), up from 24.6% in 2021 and significantly higher than the national average of 10.1% (2024 Youth Tobacco Survey).

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