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New Mexico Sees Decline in Smoking but Rise in Vaping Among Youth

KVIA•Friday, May 29, 2026 at 6:33 PM•Gabrielle Lopez

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AI Summary

Recent data from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) indicates a significant decline in smoking rates among adults and teenagers, yet a concerning rise in vaping. Adult smoking rates dropped from 15% in 2022 to 11.7% in 2024, while e-cigarette use increased from 7.3% to 8.2%. Notably, high school smoking rates fell from 8.3% to 3.3%, and e-cigarette use among high schoolers decreased from 33.4% to 18.8%. Despite these positive trends, health officials warn that vaping poses its own health risks, including exposure to toxic chemicals. NMDOH encourages young people to seek free cessation resources through LiveVapeFreeNM.com or by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Key Details: • Adult smoking rates decreased from 15% to 11.7% between 2022 and 2024. • High school smoking rates dropped from 8.3% to 3.3% from 2019 to 2023. • E-cigarette use among high school students fell from 33.4% to 18.8% in the same period. • Free resources for quitting vaping available at LiveVapeFreeNM.com. • Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for additional support to quit nicotine.

health public-health youth vaping smoking

People & Organizations

New MexicoNew Mexico Department of HealthAnthony Garcia

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