About 9% of U.S. adolescents (12-17 years old) reported a smoking history in 2013-2016, with 4% reporting current smoking.
Reported smoking history was more common among males (11% vs. 8% in females) and non-Hispanic blacks were less likely to report smoking history (5%) than either non-Hispanic whites (11%) or Mexican-Americans (9%).
Chart Explanation: Among U.S. adolescents who were aged 12-19 years, 9.3% reported a smoking history in 2011-2016, with 3.8% being current smokers and 5.8% being past smokers (having tried at least one cigarette but not having smoked in the past 30 days, or ever use of e-cigarettes). Smoking substantially declined by about 75% form 38.0% in 1999-2000 to the recent 9.3% in 2011-2016, but this trend was not significant (p=0.07). Adolescents who reported current smoking had smoked an average of 10 of the 30 days prior to survey. Smoking did not differ by obesity among adolescents, but males were more likely to report a smoking history (10.6%) compared to females (7.9%), with the difference appearing most in past smokers (7.2% vs. 4.3%); and non-Hispanic blacks were less likely to report smoking history (4.9%) than either non-Hispanic whites (11.2%, respectively) or Mexican-Americans (9.3%, respectively).
The NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) is a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey that is currently conducted every 2 years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics to examine disease prevalence and trends over time in noninstitutionalized U.S. civilian residents.
The survey consists of a standardized in-home interview and a physical examination at a mobile examination center (MEC). Here we examined data from the 1999-2000, 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2015-2016 NHANES surveys. Smoking history (cigarette use and e-cigarette use) was determined by audio computer-assisted self-interview at the MEC for those participants aged 12-19.
| Field | Data |
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| Analytic Considerations | Appropriate NHANES survey weights must be used for all analyses (MEC) |
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| Description of Measure | Prevalence of smoking in the general population aged <18 years |
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| Data Source | NCHS |
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| Type of Data Source | Public |
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| Data Set | NHANES |
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| Health Care System Data | No |
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| Regional or National? | National |
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| Demographic Group | Noninstitutionalized U.S. residents aged 12-17 |
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| Numerator | Participants 12-17 reporting smoking (past or current) |
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| Denominator | Participants 12-17 responding to smoking survey |
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| Primary Data Source Indicator | smq*, smd*: questions related to smoking (past, current, amount) |
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| Primary Indicator Method of Measurement | Self-report (audio computer-assisted self-interview in MEC) ages 12-17 |
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| Frequency of Measurement (Primary) | Once (cross-sectional) |
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| U.S. Region Covered by Primary Variable | All |
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| Period Currently Available | 1999–2016 |
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| Pending Data | 2017-2018 |
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| Additional Data Items of Interest | Stratification variables of interest (gender, race/ethnicity, BMI) |
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| Limitations of Indicator | Smoking may be over- or under-reported by past and current smokers |
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| Analytic Considerations | Appropriate NHANES survey weights must be used for all analyses (MEC if MEC-examined variables used); if SE 30% or mroe of estimate, must report as "low precision." |
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