The number of 8th graders who reported having smoked during the past month has increased 33% since 1991.1
Unless current smoking trends are reversed, more than 5 million children under the age of 18 alive today will eventually die from smoking-related illnesses.2
While the incidence of smoking among 8th grade girls dropped between 1998 and 1999, it is still significantly higher than it was in 1991.1
86% of American kids who smoke prefer Marlboro, Camel, and Newport - the three most heavily advertised cigarette brands. Marlboro, the most heavily advertised brand, constitutes almost 60% of the youth market, but only 25% of the adult market.3
1 Monitoring the Future Study, University of Michigan, 1998
2 MMWR. 1996;45(44); Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 1997.
3 Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; MMWR. 1994;43(32). |
