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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
Tel: 1-800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs)
Cigarette Use Among High School Students—United States, 1991–2007
June 27, 2008 / Vol. 57 / No. 25
MMWR Highlights
- The prevalence of current cigarette use among high school students remained
unchanged from 2003 to 2007 following an increase from 27.5% in 1991 to 36.4% in 1997, and
subsequently a significant decline to 21.9% in 2003. Current cigarette use is defined as having
smoked on one or more days of the 30 days preceding the survey.
- The prevalence of current cigarette use among black female students increased
from 11.3% in 1991 to 17.7% in 1999, and then declined significantly to 8.4% in 2007.
- The prevalence of lifetime cigarette use was stable during 1991–1999 and then declined
significantly from 70.4% in 1999 to 50.3% in 2007. Lifetime cigarette use is defined as having ever tried
cigarette smoking, even one or two puffs.
- While the prevalence of current frequent cigarette use remained stable from 2003 to 2007,
it increased from 12.7% in 1991 to 16.8% in 1999 and then declined significantly to 8.1% in 2007. Current
frequent cigarette use is defined as smoking on at least 20 of the 30 days preceding the survey.
- The national health objective for 2010 of reducing current cigarette use among high school
students to 16% or less can be achieved only if the annual rate of decline observed during 1997–2003 resumes.
- Further declines in youth cigarette use similar to that observed from 1997–2003 will require
full implementation of comprehensive tobacco control efforts including use of counter-advertising mass media
campaigns; comprehensive school-based tobacco-use prevention policies and programs; community interventions
that reduce tobacco advertising, promotions, and commercial availability of tobacco products; and higher
prices for tobacco products through increases in unit prices and excise taxes.
Page last modified 06/26/2008