Urgent Action Needed to Address Youth E-Cigarette Epidemic

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids urges the US Administration to take comprehensive and sustained action to address the serious public health problem of youth e-cigarette use, which remains the most commonly used tobacco product among US youth. According to the Office of the US Surgeon General, over 1.6 million youth reported current use in 2024, with nearly 9 in 10 current youth e-cigarette users using flavored products. The Administration must implement rigorous enforcement and evidence-based public education campaigns to drive down youth e-cigarette use.

Key Takeaways:

• The Make America Healthy Again Commission report calls for both public education efforts and enhanced enforcement against illegal e-cigarette products.
• The FDA's "The Real Cost" public education campaign prevented an estimated 444,252 American youth from starting to use e-cigarettes between 2023 and 2024.
• The Office of the US Surgeon General's Youth Vaping Resource Guide underscores the key role of flavors in attracting youth and the need for a comprehensive approach to address the e-cigarette epidemic.
• The Administration should implement a comprehensive and sustained approach to address the e-cigarette epidemic, including rigorous enforcement and evidence-based public education campaigns.
• The FDA, CDC, and other relevant federal agencies should work together to enhance their coordinated enforcement efforts against illegal e-cigarette products.
• The Administration should recognize the critical role of public health infrastructure and programs, including the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, in reducing youth tobacco use.
• Congress should continue to fund the Office on Smoking and Health and its lifesaving programs to achieve the Administration's goals of improving children's health and preventing chronic disease.

Statistics:

• Over 1.6 million youth reported current use of e-cigarettes in 2024 (Office of the US Surgeon General).
• Nearly 9 in 10 current youth e-cigarette users use flavored products (Office of the US Surgeon General).
• The FDA seized 4.7 million units of unauthorized e-cigarettes with an estimated retail value of $86.5 million (FDA).
• The "The Real Cost" public education campaign prevented an estimated 444,252 American youth from starting to use e-cigarettes between 2023 and 2024 (FDA).

Sources:

• Statement of Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, September 17, 2025.
• Make America Healthy Again Commission report.
• Youth Vaping Resource Guide by the Office of the US Surgeon General.
• FDA's "The Real Cost" public education campaign.
• Office of the US Surgeon General's Youth Vaping Resource Guide.