Youth Prevention

Reports

New survey shows U.S. youth smoking rates at record low
New data from the Monitoring the Future survey shows that youth smoking significantly declined in 2011, and for grades 8, 10, and 12, smoking rates are at the lowest levels on record. Overall youth smoking has declined from 12.8% in 2010 to 11.7% in 2011, amounting to a statistically significant change. According to the lead researcher, even a one percentage point decline in youth smoking can ultimately save thousands of people from dying prematurely. He further notes that is important to keep implementing strategies that are known to decrease youth smoking rates, such as increasing tobacco taxes, enacting smoke-free laws, and restoring funding for state tobacco prevention programs. Click here to read more about the study results, and click here for a press release from the President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Fewer middle school, high school kids smoking (FL)
New data from the 2011 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey shows that fewer middle school and high school students are using tobacco products, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Compared to data from the 2010 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, the 2011 prevalence of tobacco use decreased 9.2% among high school students and 28.6% among middle school students. Dr. Frank Farmer, Florida’s State Surgeon General, said this data illustrates the effectiveness of the state’s tobacco prevention programs. Farmer also stresses the importance of remaining vigilant in the fight against tobacco use, with tobacco use remaining the leading cause of preventable death in Florida. Read more here and click here to see results from the survey.

Hawaii tobacco sales to minors drops (HI)
According to a report from the Hawaii State Department of Health on Synar inspections, tobacco sales to minors have fallen to 6.1%, which is below the national average of 9.3%. Hawaii’s illegal tobacco sales to minors have dropped since the implementation of law enforcement operations. The Department of Health still stresses the importance of educating retailers on the importance of training staff to avoid selling tobacco to minors. Read the Department of Health’s news release here and click here to learn more about tobacco prevention efforts in Hawaii.

Anti-smoking efforts losing effectiveness among teens (MN)
With the release of new data from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco and Asthma Survey, public health officials have expressed disappointment that the prevalence of high school tobacco use has remained stagnant at approximately 26%. They believe that youth tobacco use has remained steady because of a lack of new policy initiatives and limited exposure to messaging about the dangers of smoking. No significant tobacco tax increases or smoke-free ordinances have been enacted within the past few years. Department of Health officials believe that it will be important for Minnesota to introduce new smoke-free policy efforts in order to decrease high school student tobacco use. Click here to read more and read the full report from the Minnesota Department of Health here.

Smoking rates down among North Dakota high school students (ND)
According to new data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the smoking prevalence among North Dakota high school students has decreased from 22.4% in 2009 to 19.4% in 2011. The executive director of the North Dakota Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy believes that promoting public health campaigns and tobacco-free policies in school districts has helped decrease smoking rates. Click here to read more, or click here to view the statewide results of the survey.

National Cancer Institute announces Smokefree Teen initiative and SmokefreeTXT cessation support
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has developed Smokefree Teen, a new smoking cessation resource aimed at helping teens quit smoking and take control of their health. To appeal to a teen audience that spends much of its time online and on the phone, Smokefree Teen provides targeted behavioral support through a variety of platforms, including a website, text messaging program, and a free mobile application. Click here to read the press release from NCI and here to learn more about the program.

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