Daily Dad News

Teen Smoking Rates Are Falling Nationwide, But Still At Record Numbers

March 9, 2012

A new detailed report from the Surgeon General’s office highlights some sobering statistics in regards to teenage smokers. Calling cigarette smoking a “pediatric epidemic,” the surgeon general’s report states that nearly one and five teens are smoking cigarettes with a staggering 3,800 of that group starting the habit daily, and over 1,000 of those youngsters going on to continue the habit.

The name of the report, “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General,” is the first comprehensive study done in nearly two decades by the office. In the last report released in 1994, smoking among high school students topped around 27.5 percent. Dropping to 19.5 percent, the report shows the numbers are lowering but at a much slower pace than anticipated.

While rates of cigarette and alcohol use have been dropping according to the similar Monitoring The Future study, marijuana use has grown over time. The surgeon’s report also reported a shocking 5.2 percent of middle school students have developed the habit of smoking. Although large tobacco companies have stopped record spending on cigarette advertising and careful marketing strategies, a 25-year, $206 billion dollar settlement enacted in 1998 is also geared to help with tobacco prevention programs.

Return To Daily Dad News >>