Fewer South Dakota middle-schoolers trying nicotine, but more using it regularly

By: John Hult

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: September 16, 2026

Words: 376

Last Updated: 1 day, 21 hours ago


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Fewer South Dakota middle-schoolers are trying nicotine than they were two years ago, but slightly more of them are using it every day.

Nicotine use rates for Native American kids in grades six through eight are higher than they are for non-Natives, meanwhile, and South Dakota kids overall are slightly more likely on average than their peers elsewhere in the U.S. to use cigarettes.

The findings from 2025 come from the recently released Youth …