Cigarette Smoking in Adolescents

Richard Gallagher & Jean-Marie Bruzzese & Sharon McCann-Doyle

Tobacco use by adolescents in the United States fluctuates over time but remains a persistent health risk. Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of death and illness in the United States (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 1994). To understand tobacco use in teens in the early 21st century, it is important to be aware of the frequency with which teens try cigarettes, what percentage are regular users, how experimenters become regular users, what risk and protective factors influence use, and what prevention steps have been taken. By comprehending these issues, applied developmental professionals can develop plans to continue to diminish use. Surveys indicate that a significant transition in the use of cigarettes occurs in middle school. While only 4% of 3rd- and 4th-grade students have tried a whole cigarette, 42% of 8th- and 9th-grade students and 71% of 11th- and 12th-grade students have tried cigarettes (Harrell, Skrikand, Deng, ...

Users without subscription are not able to see the full content on this title. Please, subscribe or login to access all content on this website.