TEEN SMOKING: Most Try To Quit
A new government survey shows that "teen smokers, like their adult counterparts, usually try to break the habit." Released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the "survey of more than 16,000 students nationwide" found that "nearly 73% with a daily habit said they had tried to quit" (Jones, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 5/22). The survey found that "[a]mong ever-daily smokers, females (77.6%) were more likely than males (68.7%) and white students (76%) were more likely than Hispanic students (61.9%) to report ever having tried to quit." African-American teens "who try cigarette smoking may experience greater social disapproval regarding their smoking behavior than white adolescents," the survey further found (Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 5/22 issue). The survey found that "only 13.5%" of teens were successful in their effort to quit smoking. Michael Eriksen, director of the CDC's Office of Smoking and Health, said, "We were really struck by how this little drama of tobacco addiction really is completely played out before high school graduation." He also said that while teens "are anxious to rid themselves of smoking before they leave high school, ... it's difficult if not impossible to do so" (Richmond Times-Dispatch, 5/22). Click here to download a pdf version of the CDC findings.
Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, May 31 is World No-Tobacco Day. Click here to view the World Health Organization's "Tobacco or Health" Website, located at http://www.who.ch/psa/toh.htm.