Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study
In 2022, the CDC Foundation launched the Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study of youth and young adults in the United States with an oversample of respondents in California.
Fielded semiannually, TEEN+ invites young people (13–24 years of age at baseline) to complete an online survey of electronic nicotine product use, other tobacco product use and related knowledge and attitudes. The survey is designed to assess changes in tobacco-related behaviors and perceptions among young people in the context of a rapidly changing policy and product landscape.
Study Sample
TEEN+ aims to create a probability-based sample of approximately 10,000 youth and young adults in the national cohort as well as an additional 1,800 respondents in California. TEEN+ data provide nationally representative estimates and state-representative estimates for California.
Study Aims
- Enable the collection of timely and relevant data related to use, knowledge and perceptions of tobacco products among youth and young adults
- Assess within-person changes in behaviors and trends over time
- Evaluate the impact of flavored tobacco product restriction policies and inform policy implementation efforts
TEEN+ Findings
Explore TEEN+ insights below through a variety of formats:
TEEN+ Data Briefs and Snapshots
TEEN+ Data Briefs
Issue 2: September 2025
Latest Release
The TEEN+ Data Brief Issue 2 highlights nationally representative findings from a survey of youth and young adults (13-27 years of age), fielded February-June 2025, related to use of nicotine pouches.
Data Snapshots
Issue 1: June 2025
Latest Release
This Data Snapshot highlights findings related to top e-cigarette brands from both a nationally representative survey of youth and young adults (13-27 years of age), fielded August–December 2024, and retail sales data.
Publications and Journal Articles
Stronger flavor policies, better outcomes for young people: comparing youth and young adult tobacco use behaviors in areas with and without flavored tobacco sales restrictions, by strength of policy, 2022
- This study assessed state and local flavored tobacco restriction policies by strength and differences in tobacco product use among youth and young adults (13–24) using the nationally-representative Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study.
- Only 1 in 12 young people are protected by strong flavored tobacco sales restrictions, with notable differences by sociodemographic characteristics.
- Compared with living in an area with no flavor policy, prevalence of any tobacco use was 24% lower (P<.001) and any flavored tobacco use was 30% lower (P<.001) for young people covered by strong flavor policies, after adjusting for individual- and state-level covariates.
Youth and Young Adult Flavour Expectancies for New ‘Non-menthol’ Cigarettes Introduced Following California’s Ban on Flavoured Tobacco Products
- Following California’s statewide law prohibiting the sale of flavoured tobacco products, some cigarette brands introduced new variants advertised as non-menthol, yet featuring design and text commonly found in menthol cigarette marketing.
- Younger age was associated with expectations of new non-menthol cigarettes having a minty/menthol taste, raising concerns about these products potential appeal to youth.
Developing a National Longitudinal Tobacco Cohort of Youth and Young Adults: The Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study
- The TEEN+ study is a longitudinal cohort of youth and young adults (13-24 years); this paper provides an overview of study design and methods
- TEEN+ focuses on tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes, and includes questions about other substance use (marijuana, alcohol), physical health, mental health and social determinants of health.
- TEEN+ data can be used to evaluate flavored tobacco product policies and help inform tobacco control efforts.
Conference Materials and Presentations
Measures of Nicotine Dependence and E-Cigarette Use: Findings from a National Probability-Based Sample of U.S. Youth and Young Adults
Nicotine Pouch Use, Frequency of Use, Reasons for Use, Flavor Use and Use of Other Tobacco Products in a National Probability Based Sample of U.S. Youth and Young Adults
Fielding Timeline
Wave 1
Fielding Period: July – October 2022
Wave 2
Fielding Period: February – June 2023
Wave 3
Fielding Period: July – December 2023
Wave 4
Fielding Period: February – June 2024
Wave 5
Fielding Period: August – December 2024
Wave 6
Fielding Period: February – June 2025
Wave 7
Anticipated Fielding Period: August – December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who collects TEEN+ data?
The CDC Foundation leads and oversees TEEN+. All participants are recruited through Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC. Funding is provided by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use through the CDC Foundation with a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
How can I access TEEN+ data?
Researchers interested in accessing datasets should make a written request to the CDC Foundation, including but not limited to: research question, variables of interest, planned timeline, human subjects training documentation for any research team members and an Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination regarding the proposed research. A data use agreement will be required for any sharing of data.
How do I cite TEEN+ data?
Suggested Citation: TEEN+ Data Briefs
CDC Foundation. (YEAR). Monitoring Tobacco Product Use: Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study. Data Brief, Issue Number. Publication Date. URL
Here is an example, which researchers should update using information for the data being cited:
CDC Foundation. (2025). Monitoring Tobacco Product Use: Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study. Data Brief, Issue 1. May 2025. https://tobaccomonitoring.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/TEEN__Data__Brief__Issue__1.pdf