"• The perceived availability of cigarettes continued a long term decline in 8th and 10th grade to historic low levels (Tables 9-9 and 9-10). In 2024, the percentage saying they could easily get cigarettes was 32% in 8th grade and 41% in 10th grade. After holding fairly steady at very high levels for some years, perceived availability began to decline modestly after 1996, very likely as a result of increased enforcement of laws prohibiting sale to minors under the Synar Amendment and FDA regulations. The proportion of 8th graders saying that they could get cigarettes fairly or very easily fell from 77% in 1996 to 56% in 2010 and to 32% in 2024 (Table 9-9). Over the same interval, the decline among 10th graders fell from a high of 91% in 1996 to 41% in 2024 (Table 9-10).
"For 12th grade students, availability of cigarettes significantly decreased from 60% in 2023 to 54% in 2024. A dramatic and lasting decline in cigarette availability in 12th grade that began in 2021 may reflect the consequences of the pandemic, the implementation of the “Tobacco 21” federal legislation that was signed into law on December 20, 2019 and makes it illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product to anyone under 21 years of age, or a combination of both influences."
Miech, R. A., Johnston, L. D., Patrick, M. E., & O'Malley, P. M. (2025). Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975–2024: Overview and detailed results for secondary school students. Monitoring the Future Monograph Series. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.
