Smoking Statistics For Adolescents Get Worse Every Year

It seems unfortunate that every year, smoking statistics get worse and worse. Scientists and doctors are able to track more and more of smokings harmful effects on the human body and the environment itself, and so are able to more accurately pinpoint these exact effects.

What is truly sad is the smoking statistics that deal with adolescents and young people who smoke. Despite all the knowledge and research that we have, young people are continuing to start smoking with each generation, and unfortunately, they also suffer the consequences of that smoking, including increased cases of asthma, heart disease, and cancer. Note the following:

Smoking statistics by age.

Each day, nearly 6,000 children under 18 years of age start smoking; of these, nearly 2,000 will become regular smokers. That is almost 800,000 annually.

Approximately 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21. According to the latest smoking statistics in 2001, a national survey of high school students revealed that the overall prevalence of current cigarette use was 28 percent. Nearly 20 percent of 12th graders, 12 percent of 10th graders and 5.5 percent of 8th graders smoke cigarettes daily.

Smoking statistics by number.

It is estimated that at least 4.5 million U.S. adolescents are cigarette smokers; thats the equivalent of the population of the state of Alabama. If current tobacco use patterns persist, an estimated 6.4 million children will die prematurely from a smoking-related disease. Adolescents who smoke regularly can have just as hard a time quitting as long-time smokers.

Of adolescents who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, most of them report that they would like to quit, but are not able to do so. And smoking statistics have proven that cigarette advertisements tend to emphasize youthful vigor, sexual attraction and independence themes, which appeal to teenagers and young adults struggling with these issues.

These smoking statistics do not just affect smoking alone. Tobacco use in adolescence is associated with a range of health-compromising behaviors, including being involved in fights, carrying weapons, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior and using alcohol and other drugs.

Scientific research and data should always be used to better ones behavior as one increases in knowledge, however, smoking statistics bear out that this just isnt happening with todays adolescents. Despite all our research and knowledge, they still continue to smoke every year, and suffer the consequences of that decision to smoke every year as well.