Tobacco use among North Carolina teens continues to rise, according to the statewide 2017 Youth Tobacco Survey released last week.
Nearly 29 percent of teens in the school-based survey use tobacco, a one percent increase over the previous year. The State Department of Health and Human Services report found the most frequently used tobacco product among middle and high school students were e-cigarettes, followed by cigars and cigarettes. The study suggests teens are also using multiple tobacco products.
Health officials say nicotine exposure during adolescence and young adulthood can lead to nicotine addiction and harms brain development.