Health Of Youth Going Up In Smoke

 

A new report out of the Riley County Health Department received the Youth Tobacco Survey from the Centers for Disease Control that says 32.3% of all high school students in Riley County are currently addicted to tobacco. Of that number, 1 out of 3 of our children will die prematurely of tobacco related illness.

All school districts in Riley County participated in the survey during November and December of 2000. Also included in the survey were 6, 7 and 8th graders.

Here are some of the results of the Prevalence of Tobacco-Use in the 6th-8th Grades:

• Overall, 9.3% of middle school students in Riley County report they are currently using tobacco products (cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, pipes and bidis).

• Cigarettes are still the most commonly used form of tobacco.

• Of current smokers, 31.3% smoke Marlboro brand cigarettes.

• Of current smokers, 30.6% feel they need a cigarette every day.

• Of current smokers 60.2% have tried to quit in the last 12 months.

• Of current smokers 48.7% want to stop now.

With High School Students:

• Of current smokers, 46.8% smoke Marlboro brand cigarettes.

• Of current smokers, 32.5 feel they need a cigarette every day.

• Of current smokers, 53% have tried to quit in the last 12 months.

• Of current smokers, 42.4% want to stop now.

• Of those who have smoked, 12.8% smoked their first cigarette before the age of 11.

• Of current smokers, 67.6% bought their last pack of cigarettes from a convenience store.

• Of current smokers, only 38.5% have been asked to show their ID when purchasing cigarettes.

The National average of 6-8th graders smoking is 9.2%. Kansas has an average of 16.1% and Riley County is 9.3%.

The National average of 9th to 12th graders smoking is 28.5%. Riley County is 32.3% and the report did not show a Kansas average.

Some Kansas Facts:

• Cigarette smoking costs the Kansas economy $594 million each year in health care and lost productivity -- the equivalent of $2.68 for each pack of cigarettes purchased in Kansas.

• In Kansas, nearly 4000 deaths each year are associated with tobacco use.

• Three out of four Kansans believe that it is very easy or relatively easy for minors to buy cigarettes and other tobacco products in their community.