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Tobacco Use

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Tobacco use, including cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, and smokeless tobacco use, remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.1 Each year cigarette smoking accounts for approximately 1 of every 5 deaths, or about 438,000 people. Cigarette smoking results in 5.5 million years of potential life lost in the United States annually.2 Every day, approximately 4,000 American youth aged 12-17 try their first cigarette, and an estimated 1,140 young people become daily cigarette smokers.3 In 2007, 20% of high schools students reported current cigarette use and 14% reported current cigar use. In addition, 8% of high school students and 18% of white male high school students reported current smokeless tobacco use.4

checkmarkTobacco Use and the Health of Young People  

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How CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health is Addressing Tobacco Use and Addiction [pdf 803K]
 

Data & Statistics

School Health Policies and Programs Study
SHPPS is a national survey periodically conducted to assess school health policies and programs at the state, district, school, and classroom levels, including those related to preventing tobacco use.

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
The YRBSS monitors behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States.

Science-based Strategies

See School Health Guidelines: Tobacco Use for strategies most likely to be effective in preventing tobacco use and addiction among young people.

The School Health Index can help schools implement school health guidelines and related strategies. This self-assessment and planning tool enables schools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of health promotion policies and programs and assists schools in developing an action plan for improving the school environment.

Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT). The Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) can help school districts, schools, and others conduct a clear, complete, and consistent analysis of health education curricula based on the National Health Education Standards and CDC抯 Characteristics of Effective Health Education Curricula. The HECAT results can help schools select or develop appropriate and effective health education curricula and improve the delivery of health education to address tobacco use and other health education topics. The HECAT can be customized to meet local community needs and conform to the curriculum requirements of the state or school district.

Registries of Programs Effective in Reducing Youth Risk Behaviors. Various federal agencies have identified youth-related programs that they consider worthy of recommendation based on expert opinion or a review of design and research evidence. These programs focus on different health topics, risk behaviors, and settings, including tobacco use.

National, State, and Local Programs

CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) supports the development and implementation of effective health promotion policies and programs that address priority health risks among youth. For information about the actions that state agencies can implement to address these health risks, see CDC's:

 Promising Practices in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
  Ch.8: Advancing Tobacco Control Through Evidence-Based Programs [pdf 350K]
  Ch.9: Building a Healthier Future Through School Health Programs [pdf 400K]

Steps to a HealthierUS is an initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that advances the goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. The Steps Cooperative Agreement Program funds 40 communities nationwide to implement school and other community-based programs that address obesity, diabetes, and asthma, as well as their related risk behaviors: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.

References

  1. CDC. Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Economic Costs桿nited States, 1995�99. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. 2002;51(14):300�3 [Accessed 2008 Jun 13].
     
  2. CDC. Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Productivity Losses桿nited States, 1997�01. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [serial online]. 2005;54:625-628 [Accessed 2008 Jun 13].
     
  3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results From the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. [pdf 943K] (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-27, DHHS Publication No. SMA 05�61) [Accessed 2008 Jun 13]. Rockville, MD.
     
  4. CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance桿nited States, 2007 [pdf 1M] Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report [serial online] 2008;57(SS-4):1�1. [Accessed 2008 Jun 13]

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Page last reviewed: October 28, 2008
Page last modified: August 27, 2008
Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health

Division of Adolescent and School Health
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services