Tobacco use among Arizona youths is declining. While traditional tobacco use is down, health experts in Arizona are closely watching how youth are getting their nicotine fix elsewhere. 

A recent Arizona Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows usage of tobacco products by high school aged students decreased significantly. According to Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, the department saw a 30 percent decrease in tobacco usage in youths between 2013 and 2015. That translates to about 13,000 less students in the state who use the products. 

Christ said while the decrease in tobacco use is impressive, she worries about the rise in popularity of e-cigarettes. 

“We do know that there is marketing towards youths, because they are using fruit and candy flavors. I mean, how many adults want to have gummy bear flavored cigarettes?” she said.

Christ said there are no details of e-cigarette use statewide. She said her office is watching use nationally to prepare for ways to curb its prevalence in the future.