National Survey Shows Signs of Smoking Increasing Among Young Teens, Smokeless Tobacco Rates Up Too

In the last decade, teen smoking has been cut in half in Wisconsin, a result of an effective tobacco prevention and control program in our state, among other things. But a new national study released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, finds the decrease in teen smoking rates nationwide has largely stopped and use in young teens is beginning to swing back up.

The "2010 Monitoring the Future" study has been tracking teen smoking in the US for 36 years. This year, the study, designed and conducted by the University of Michigan, found that smoking among 8th graders and 10th graders increased a small amount and rates of smokeless tobacco use, specifically snus, in 8th, 10th and 12th graders has increased significantly in the last few years.

These results come at a time when many states are cutting back on tobacco prevention and control funding. Wisconsin decreased funding for the state's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program by 55% in 2009. In order to keep the hard-won decreases in youth smoking rates in our state, we must adequately fund the Program. Youth smoking rates are ever-changing so let's continue standing up for our kids and help them make the right choices, avoiding a lifetime of addiction at the hands of the Tobacco Industry.

Wisconsin has made great efforts to improve the health of those who live, work and play here. It's time to make the healthy choice the right choice for ourselves and the children in our communities! Let's keep the momentum moving forward and avoid the backlash other states have seen!

For more information on the 2010 Monitoring the Future study click here.


To view the press release on the study from the University of Michigan click here.