Protecting Our Youth from Nicotine Addiction

Across the country, flavored nicotine products are driving youth addiction. A new policy brief from the Healthy Americas Foundation (HAF) and the National League of Cities (NLC), 4 Practical Steps Cities Can Take Now to Protect Youth from Flavored Tobacco, finds one in six high school students currently use e-cigarettes and almost nine in 10 high school e-cigarette users report using flavored products, making flavors a primary driver of youth nicotine addiction.

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On May 5, 2026, the FDA authorized certain fruit flavored e-cigarettes. Across multiple administrations federal bans on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars remained stalled; however, local leaders need not wait. Cities can protect youth from nicotine addiction now by advancing four proven local policy strategies.