SOUTH DAKOTA – A new South Dakota Department of Health survey shows fewer middle school students are experimenting with nicotine, but daily use has increased slightly since 2023.
The 2025 Youth Tobacco Survey found about 9.6 percent of South Dakota students in grades six through eight have tried some form of nicotine, down from 10.7 percent two years ago.
E-cigarettes remain the most common nicotine product, with 6.6 percent of students reporting they have tried vaping. Most of those users said they used flavored products, such as fruit or candy flavors.
At the same time, current nicotine use among middle school students edged up to 4.7 percent, compared to 4.5 percent in 2023.
The survey also found higher nicotine use rates among Native American students. Nearly one in five reported trying nicotine, while nearly 10 percent said they currently use e-cigarettes.
Health officials say children who have tried nicotine are significantly more likely to come from households where at least one family member uses nicotine products.
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