|
|
|
Preventing
Tobacco Use
Among Young People
Surgeon General's Report Overview
Overview
Despite three decades of health warnings, large numbers
of young people continue to take up tobacco; currently, more than three million
adolescents smoke cigarettes, and more than one million adolescent males use smokeless
tobacco.
"Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People,"
released on February 24, 1994, is the first report of the Surgeon General that focuses on
the problems of tobacco use among young people. It underscores the seriousness of tobacco
use, its relationship to other adolescent problem behaviors, and the responsibility of all
citizens to protect the health of our children. Produced under the direction of the Office
on Smoking and Health, within CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion, this report about tobacco use and young people has six major
conclusions:
- Almost all adult tobacco users began
using during adolescence.
- Most young people who smoke are addicted to nicotine and report that they want to quit but
are unable to do so.
- Tobacco is often the first drug used
by young people who use alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.
- Among young people, those with poorer grades and lower self-images are most likely to
begin using tobacco.
- Cigarette advertising appears to increase young people's risk of smoking by conveying that
smoking has social and even physical benefits and that it is far more common than it
really is.
- The most effective preventive programs are community-wide ones that combine education and
public policy approaches.
|
|
