The Future of Smokers


Despite the demonstrated health risks associated with cigarette smoking, young Americans continue to smoke. However, 30-day smoking rates among high school students have declined from peaks reached in 1996 for 8th-graders (21.0 percent) and 10th-graders (30.4 percent) and in 1976 for 12th-graders (38.8 percent). In 2005, 30-day rates had dropped to 9.3 percent for 8th-graders, 14.9 percent for 10th-graders, and 23.2 percent for 12th-graders.

The decrease in smoking rates among young Americans corresponds to several years in which increased proportions of teens said they believe there is a "great" health risk associated with cigarette smoking and expressed disapproval of smoking one or more packs of cigarettes a day. Students' personal disapproval of smoking has risen for some years. In 2005, for example, the percentage of 12th-graders disapproving of smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day increased significantly, from 76.2 percent in 2004 to 79.8 percent in 2005.

Other Stop Smoking Support Article Excerpts:

"You need strong will power to stop smoking now."

"More importantly - you will have enough time to think carefully about your smoking habit and why it is so good to stop smoking for the last time."

"One of the most effective ways to stop smoking is to have a plan of action in effect that will offer you alternative and coping mechanisms when the going gets tough (and it will!"