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U.S. Surgeon General’s Report emphasizes the prevention of youth smoking

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The U.S. Surgeon General issued her 2012 report on smoking which emphasizes the best way to stop smoking rates from climbing is to keep youth from starting tobacco products. Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults, begins with the point that youth and adult smoking rates have stalled over the last few years, and research shows that keeping youth from starting tobacco products before age 26 is effective in keeping them from becoming addicted to nicotine, smoking, and alternative tobacco products.

An initial message by Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, points out:

“Each day in the United States, over 3,800 young people under 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette, and over 1,000 youth under age 18 become daily cigarette smokers. The vast majority of Americans who begin daily smoking during adolescence are addicted to nicotine by young adulthood.”

Click here to go to GASP’s webpage to learn more about the Surgeon General’s Report on tobacco from 2010, and the findings, conclusions and recommendations.