Smoking Behavior Among Secondary School Students - China, 2021

In 2019, China CDC conducted the National Youth Tobacco Survey among secondary school students, and the prevalence rates of ever, current, and frequent smoking were 17.9%, 5.9%, and 1.8%, respectively. The prevalence rate of cigarette use in males decreased largely from 2019 to 2021 in China, while it increased in 18 provincial-level administrative divisions (PLADs) for females. The tobacco control situation remains challenging among vocational senior high school (VSHS) students. Significant geographical disparities existed in cigarette use. Targeted tobacco control policies aimed at VSHS students are needed, specifically those PLADs with higher smoking rates. Additionally, close attention should be paid to female smokers.