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Over 79% of adults who smoke,
started before the age of 18. A 1992 study showed smoking by age: 12-13y (8%) 14-15y
(21%) and 16-17y (30%). Of those children still in high school 19% smoked, in the HS
dropouts the rate was 35%. A 1997 study of teenagers showed tobacco use up to 43% with 17%
heavy smokers.In Tampa Bay, tobacco use: middle school 29% and high school 40%. Most
recent stats (MMWR 2000;49:49-51) showed that in 1999, tobacco use by middle school
children was 12.8% and for high school children 34.8%
Basic
Facts from the American Cancer Society |
