Attorney General Raoul Joins Bipartisan Letter in Support of National Youth Tobacco Survey

Strategic Insights -

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a bipartisan coalition of 22 state attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in support of the continuation of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). The NYTS is an annual study that assesses the use of smoking and vaping among middle and high school students, providing valuable insight into youth tobacco use and emerging products. The survey has shaped efforts led by attorneys general to curb youth tobacco use for over two decades.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) is an annual study assessing the use of smoking and vaping among middle and high school students, providing valuable insight into youth tobacco use and emerging products.
  • The survey has shaped efforts led by attorneys general to curb youth tobacco use for over two decades, with data being used to monitor youth smoking rates and alert states to emerging tobacco products.
  • The NYTS surveys students in both high school and middle school, providing unique data for younger students who are not included in other national surveys.
  • The CDC has recently eliminated its Office on Smoking and Health and has replaced leaders and cut staff at the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, which regulates the tobacco industry.
  • The bipartisan coalition of 22 state attorneys general has submitted a comment letter to the CDC and HHS in support of the continuation of the NYTS, citing the importance of reliable and rigorous data on e-cigarette use among youth and teens.
  • Attorney General Raoul has been a key player in addressing the youth e-cigarette epidemic, with notable efforts including a $462 million multistate settlement with Juul Labs Inc. and legislation prohibiting companies from marketing e-cigarettes to minors.
  • The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) has generated over $171 billion in ongoing payments from the tobacco companies to the states since 1998, aiming to reduce and prevent smoking in the United States, especially among youth.

Statistics:

  • The NYTS surveys students in both high school and middle school, providing unique data for younger students who are not included in other national surveys.
  • The National Tobacco Settlement of 1998 has generated over $171 billion in ongoing payments from the tobacco companies to the states.
  • In 2023, a $462 million multistate settlement was announced with Juul Labs Inc., one of the nation's largest manufacturers of e-cigarettes.

Sources:

  • Illinois Attorney General's Office, "Attorney General Raoul Joins Bipartisan Letter in Support of National Youth Tobacco Survey" (August 15, 2023)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS)
  • Master Settlement Agreement (MSA)
  • Illinois Tobacco Quitline website