Stronger Flavor Policies Linked to Reduced Youth Tobacco Use

Strategic Insights -

Investigators have published a new report assessing differences in tobacco product use and flavored tobacco use among youth and young adults residing in areas with and without flavored tobacco restriction policies. Research concluded that strong flavored tobacco sales restrictions could help accelerate declines in youth and young adult tobacco use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, conducted by the CDC Foundation, analyzed data from Wave 1 (October 2022) of the Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study of US youth and young adults, with a total of 10,255 respondents.
  • The researchers used respondents' latitude and longitude to assign flavor policy coverage as no policy (80.9%), partial policy (major exemptions, 11.1%), or strong policy (minor/no exemptions, 8.0%).
  • Policy coverage varied by several demographic characteristics, including race and ethnicity, with stronger policies more likely to be in place in areas with higher white and Asian populations.
  • The study found that youth and young adults in areas with strong flavored tobacco sales restrictions had lower rates of flavored tobacco use compared to those in areas with no policy or partial policy.
  • The authors concluded that stronger flavor policies might help accelerate declines in youth and young adult tobacco use.
  • The full report can be found in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs, 2025;2025(70):235-242.

Statistics:

  • 80.9% of respondents resided in areas with no flavored tobacco sales restriction policy.
  • 11.1% of respondents resided in areas with partial policy, which had major exemptions.
  • 8.0% of respondents resided in areas with strong policy, which had minor/no exemptions.
  • The study found that respondents in areas with strong flavored tobacco sales restrictions had a 15.6% lower rate of flavored tobacco use compared to those in areas with no policy.
  • The study found that respondents in areas with strong flavored tobacco sales restrictions also had a 12.4% lower rate of youth tobacco use compared to those in areas with no policy.

Sources:

  • Ali, F. R. M., et al. "Stronger flavor policies, better outcomes for young people: comparing youth and young adult tobacco use behaviors in areas with and without flavored tobacco sales restrictions, by strength of policy, 2022." Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs, 2025;2025(70):235-242.
  • NewsRx. "CDC Foundation Reports Findings in Science (Stronger flavor policies, better outcomes for young people: comparing youth and young adult tobacco use behaviors in areas with and without flavored tobacco sales restrictions, by strength of policy, ...)." Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. August 31, 2025; p 544.