Issue

Teen Smoking

Background

Despite all we know now about the dire addictive effects and consequences of smoking, teens continue to take to smoking like fish to water. We know peer pressure, untreated depression and anxiety disorders, and heavy marketing directed at youth are major factors for this sad state of affairs.

Information

Here are some Teen Smoking Facts:

• Ninety percent of adult smokers are addicted by age 18; 60% by age 14.

• About 3,000 children become addicted to tobacco each day.

• There are 3 million teen smokers in the US, 1 million of whom will eventually die from tobacco use.

• 30% of all children own at least one piece of promotional gear from tobacco firms.

• More than 20% of high school seniors are daily smokers

• 90% of teens smoke either Marlboros, Camels, or Newports - the 3 most advertised cigarette brands.

• Almost all teens addicted to smokeless tobacco are white males, most beginning before the age of 12.

• The teen smoking rate has not declined in the last 10 years.

• Since the introduction of Joe Camel in 1988, the teen market share of Camel cigarettes has gone from 1% to 30%.

• After the introduction of Virginia Slims in 1968, the incidence of smoking in teen girls tripled within 10 years.

• Teen boys who continue smoking through adulthood are about 50% more likely to become impotent than nonsmoking males.

Resources

Facts compiled by Dr. Thomas Peterson and reported in the November 1, 1997 issue of Family Practice News.