New Data Raises Concern About Vaping and Cigar Use Among Black Youth and Young Adults
A Stay-in-the-Know Update from The SOL Project
A new national report is raising concern about tobacco and nicotine use among young people. The TEEN+ Study looked at 9,674 youth and young adults ages 13 to 28 across the United States. The data were collected from August through December 2025. The report says about 1 in 10 youth ages 13 to 17 and about 1 in 4 young adults ages 18 to 28 currently use a tobacco product. E-cigarettes, also called vapes, were the most commonly used product.
The findings are especially important for Black families. Among Black, non-Hispanic youth and young adults ages 13 to 28, 16.1% reported current e-cigarette use. The report also found that cigar, cigarillo, or little cigar use was highest among Black, non-Hispanic youth and young adults compared with the other racial and ethnic groups studied. Among those who currently smoked cigarettes, 78.5% of Black, non-Hispanic participants reported using menthol cigarettes.
Why This Matters to The SOL Project
These findings are of grave concern to The SOL Project. We work to protect African American communities and others from tobacco use, nicotine addiction, and exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke. When people smoke inside apartments and other multi-unit housing, smoke can move into nearby spaces and expose other families. Tobacco smoke can also leave harmful residue on walls, furniture, clothing, and other surfaces.
We are also concerned about smoking and vaping in outdoor public spaces. Cigarette butts, cigar waste, and discarded vape devices can become litter near sidewalks, apartment grounds, parks, and playgrounds. Children should be able to live and play in clean, healthy spaces without tobacco smoke, aerosol, or tobacco-related waste.
Families and Communities Can Take Action
Parents, grandparents, teachers, faith leaders, and other caring adults can talk with young people about vaping, cigars, cigarettes, and nicotine. Young people also need safe places to ask questions and get help without being judged.
The SOL Project provides educational information, community presentations, trainings, and tobacco prevention resources. Schools, churches, youth programs, housing communities, neighborhood groups, and other organizations interested in a presentation or training are encouraged to contact us.
Contact The SOL Project: 888-774-7685 (SOUL) | info@thesolproject.com | TheSOLProject.com
Free Help to Quit Is Available
If you or someone you know wants to stop smoking, vaping, or using tobacco or nicotine, free help is available through Kick It California. The program offers free, science-based support and quit coaching for Californians.
Call 800-300-8086 or visit KickItCA.org to get started. Quitting can be hard, but support is available.
READ THE FULL DATA: Download the August 2026 TEEN+ Data Brief, Issue 5
Source note: CDC Foundation, TEEN+ Data Brief, Issue 5, August 2026. Data were collected August-December 2025. The report notes that findings are preliminary and subject to revision.
