Record numbers of teens now abstain, a trend starting during the Covid pandemic and continuing to the present

Summary

Teen drug, alcohol, and tobacco use in the U.S. continues to decline, with record-low usage levels reported in 2023, according to the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey.

Among 12th graders, 66% reported no recent use of alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, while 80% of 10th graders and 90% of 8th graders avoided these substances entirely.

Experts attribute the decline partly to reduced peer pressure during the pandemic.

However, nicotine pouch use has doubled among 12th graders, raising concerns.

Despite pop culture’s glamorization of smoking, teen cigarette use remains low.

  • @[email protected]English
    46•2 days ago

    Nah, here’s the real reason. When I was the nightclubbing age, you could get a bottle of booze, 6 cans of coke and mineral water for like $50. Last time I went to a club, I paid $120 for the same thing. People in the 18-25 age range don’t have $120 to drop every Friday.

    • @TankovayaDiviziyaEnglish
      18•2 days ago

      You also have to give credit to youngins these days that they are smart enough to spend money by going to gym and choosing to live a healthier lifestyle instead. This is according to many news report.

      And also, I think the rise of social media is to be credited as well because instead of going out to socialise, the younger generation are socialising digitally. Of course social media has its drawbacks, which is getting highlighted more in recent years for understandable reasons, but it also has an upside and really it offers many alternatives that traditions couldn’t. I know us older folks begrudge social media, but hey, it’s here to stay. For better or worse.

      • @[email protected]English
        9•2 days ago

        It’s probably my choice of gym but I see almost no young people in it. It’s mostly 30-somethings that figured out that eating garbage all the time and staying thin stops at 30. Yes, that includes me.

        • @nieminen
          English
          12•2 days ago

          Worth noting that school age kids have a vastly different free times than most of us. I often see the same group you’re talking about at the gym, but if I show up right after 5 I see a bunch of high schoolers. They must like to go just after school.