Teen cigarette use is the 3rd lowest in Florida, with 1.7% of high schoolers smoking. That’s according to data from the American Lung Association.
The report reveals which states had the most and the least teenage cigarette users. The results showed huge differences across the country, with some states having seven times more teen smokers than others.
Southern states dominate the rankings of the teen-smoking capitals, with Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee all featuring among the ten worst states for youth cigarette use.
But Florida and Michigan tied for the third-lowest position with identical 1.7% high school smoking rates. Teen smoking levels in these states reached less than one-third of those found in top-ranked states.
The report suggests that states like Florida and their prevention approaches are more effective than those used in states with higher percentages.
Joe Tucker, COO at Provape, said Florida’s lower rate shows the state has invested more in youth prevention programs and implemented stronger tobacco control policies. And the significant variation in high school smoking rates across states points to the impact of these different approaches to tobacco prevention and education.
“Some states face unique challenges due to cultural factors, socioeconomic issues, and historical connections to the tobacco industry. Many areas with higher youth smoking rates often lack adequate funding for prevention or have limited access to cessation resources,” said Tucker.
The numbers by the American Lung Association only reflect cigarette smoking and don’t account for the shift to vaping products among teenagers. Many young people who might have smoked cigarettes in previous generations are now using e-cigarettes instead, which may partially explain the lower cigarette smoking rates in certain states.
